BMW Malaysia today launched the BMW Shorties, a short film competition the Marque intends to make an annual event aimed at realising new talent within the Malaysian cinematic arts community.
In line with its global effort in supporting and developing the cinematic arts, The BMW Shorties offer a prize of up to MYR 50.000 in production assistance to enable the person submitting the winning short film to make a professional short film. This short film, in turn, will have the chance to be showcased at international film festivals through the BMW Group's global network.
A film competition with a difference, the BMW Shorties aims to not merely discover but also cultivate emerging cinematic talents in Malaysia by providing a distinguished panel of judges from the Malaysian Film Industry who will act as mentors to the winner.
"BMW Malaysia would like to assist and encourage the film making community in Malaysia. We see an opportunity to provide a platform which we hope will allow the discovery and recognition of emerging talent in the Malaysian cinematic arts community," says BMW Malaysia's Press and Corporate Affairs Manager, Vijayaratnam Tharumartnam.
The theme for the inaugural BMW Shorties is "Mobility". The competition is open to aspiring Malaysian film makers of any age, as long as they have never participated or won in any local or international film festival, competition or awards.
The short film entries will be judged on their originality, content and creativity in interpreting the theme. Film school students and first-time film makers are encouraged to send in their short film entries for consideration. Deadline for entries is at 5pm on 13 February 2007.
BMW Group has supported the film industry for over 70 years, from student productions to film festivals. BMW Group sees itself as a promoter of young filmmakers, lending its support to productions that display a particular degree of excellence, and working in close cooperation with students.
"The Malaysian cinematic community has shown some very strong talent. Many of our young filmmakers have gone on to receive international recognition especially in the area of short films. It is our intention that the BMW Shorties will create another opportunity for other talented individuals who do not have the resources. In this way, we can play a small part in the growth of the Malaysian cinematic arts community by helping to discover and nurture new talent, as we have done in other countries," says Mr Vijayaratnam, adding that it is hoped that the BMW Shorties will act as a launchpad for Malaysian film makers to venture abroad.
He also says that while feature-length films are often subject to certain limitations placed on them by the constrictions of expectation and television requirements, the short film is a medium that offers plenty of scope for innovation. It is not only the preferred channel for many student directors, but is currently undergoing a renaissance across the board.
"With the BMW Shorties, we hope to be able to showcase Malaysian cinematic works overseas while, at the same time, exposing Malaysian film makers to the international cinematic arts scene," he said.
As part of the BMW Shorties, BMW Malaysia will provide support and critique via a distinguished panel of judges in order to achieve the best possible outcomes by the entrants but also by the winner.
The panel of judges comprises renowned film maker Yasmin Ahmad, Cannes Award winner and director Paul Loosley, movie editor Affandi Jamaludin, experimental film maker James Lee, lecturer and academic Gregory Wee and writer-filmmaker-photographer Danny Lim, as well as BMW Malaysia's Press and Corporate Affairs Manager Vijayaratnam Tharumartnam.
The winning entry for this year's BMW Shorties will be announced at a premiere on 9 March 2007, which will also showcase the top 10 entries.
For aspiring film makers who would like to ensure that they submit their best possible work, BMW Malaysia is also organising a BMW Shorties Clinic on 13 January 2007, where they will be able to receive professional advice from the panel of judges. However, only 25 applications will be accepted for the Shorties Clinic.
To enter, vote and be a part of the BMW Shorties Competition, visit the website at www.bmw.com.my/shorties.
In line with its global effort in supporting and developing the cinematic arts, The BMW Shorties offer a prize of up to MYR 50.000 in production assistance to enable the person submitting the winning short film to make a professional short film. This short film, in turn, will have the chance to be showcased at international film festivals through the BMW Group's global network.
A film competition with a difference, the BMW Shorties aims to not merely discover but also cultivate emerging cinematic talents in Malaysia by providing a distinguished panel of judges from the Malaysian Film Industry who will act as mentors to the winner.
"BMW Malaysia would like to assist and encourage the film making community in Malaysia. We see an opportunity to provide a platform which we hope will allow the discovery and recognition of emerging talent in the Malaysian cinematic arts community," says BMW Malaysia's Press and Corporate Affairs Manager, Vijayaratnam Tharumartnam.
The theme for the inaugural BMW Shorties is "Mobility". The competition is open to aspiring Malaysian film makers of any age, as long as they have never participated or won in any local or international film festival, competition or awards.
The short film entries will be judged on their originality, content and creativity in interpreting the theme. Film school students and first-time film makers are encouraged to send in their short film entries for consideration. Deadline for entries is at 5pm on 13 February 2007.
BMW Group has supported the film industry for over 70 years, from student productions to film festivals. BMW Group sees itself as a promoter of young filmmakers, lending its support to productions that display a particular degree of excellence, and working in close cooperation with students.
"The Malaysian cinematic community has shown some very strong talent. Many of our young filmmakers have gone on to receive international recognition especially in the area of short films. It is our intention that the BMW Shorties will create another opportunity for other talented individuals who do not have the resources. In this way, we can play a small part in the growth of the Malaysian cinematic arts community by helping to discover and nurture new talent, as we have done in other countries," says Mr Vijayaratnam, adding that it is hoped that the BMW Shorties will act as a launchpad for Malaysian film makers to venture abroad.
He also says that while feature-length films are often subject to certain limitations placed on them by the constrictions of expectation and television requirements, the short film is a medium that offers plenty of scope for innovation. It is not only the preferred channel for many student directors, but is currently undergoing a renaissance across the board.
"With the BMW Shorties, we hope to be able to showcase Malaysian cinematic works overseas while, at the same time, exposing Malaysian film makers to the international cinematic arts scene," he said.
As part of the BMW Shorties, BMW Malaysia will provide support and critique via a distinguished panel of judges in order to achieve the best possible outcomes by the entrants but also by the winner.
The panel of judges comprises renowned film maker Yasmin Ahmad, Cannes Award winner and director Paul Loosley, movie editor Affandi Jamaludin, experimental film maker James Lee, lecturer and academic Gregory Wee and writer-filmmaker-photographer Danny Lim, as well as BMW Malaysia's Press and Corporate Affairs Manager Vijayaratnam Tharumartnam.
The winning entry for this year's BMW Shorties will be announced at a premiere on 9 March 2007, which will also showcase the top 10 entries.
For aspiring film makers who would like to ensure that they submit their best possible work, BMW Malaysia is also organising a BMW Shorties Clinic on 13 January 2007, where they will be able to receive professional advice from the panel of judges. However, only 25 applications will be accepted for the Shorties Clinic.
To enter, vote and be a part of the BMW Shorties Competition, visit the website at www.bmw.com.my/shorties.
