How well do you connect?
The BMW Shorties
BMW Group Malaysia once again dares Malaysians to dream big with Malaysia’s leading short film competition — BMW Shorties. Back for it’s eighth year, the BMW Shorties short film competition will once again provide promising film enthusiasts in Malaysia with the chance to win an RM75,000 production grant as well as recognition for film making talent in a line-up of awards which includes Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing and Best Sound Engineering as well as the ever popular People’s Choice Award.
“When first conceptualised, the BMW Shorties was meant to be a platform through which a dynamic and emerging generation of talented Malaysian short film makers could both push the boundaries of their abilities and be recognised by a growingly interested Malaysian audience. From humble beginnings and goals of perhaps encouraging the creation of a dozen short films every year, the BMW Shorties surpassed expectations in each and every year of the competition. To date, an astonishing 540 short films have been submitted to the competition with winners of the BMW Shorties going on to achieve even greater artistic and professional heights both internationally and right here in Malaysia’s emerging film industry.” said Mr. Alan Harris, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.
The full cast and crew of the 2013 BMW-funded short film, ‘Pizza’, directed by Chua Dick Woei, winner of BMW Shorties 2012
With “Connections” as this year’s theme, BMW Shorties would like to challenge Malaysians and their story telling abilities by exploring the essential human need of being connected, be it with other human beings or with the world around us. The theme, obtained from BMW’s ConnectedDrive philosophy, which stands for the intelligent linking of vehicle, driver and the outside world in a way that safeguards that BMW owners are connected with information and services which lets them make the most of a driving experience. Hence, “Connections” looks to challenge Malaysians to seek out and explore the definition of connections which they hold and have with one another, with our nation and with our world, through their very own and original perspectives.
This year’s BMW Shorties competition will be judged by a line-up of experts from Malaysia’s film making industry including four-time BMW Shorties veteran and commercial filmmaker Lina Tan, feature film producer Nandita Solomon; actor, screenwriter, and director Bront Palarae; highest grossing Malaysian film director Chiu Keng Guan as well as one of Malaysia’s original and most celebrated short film directors, Tan Chui Mui.
The entire cast and crew of ’32 Degrees Fall in Love’, the Grand Prize Winner of BMW Shorties 2013
“By every yardstick available, the BMW Shorties has been a tremendous success as it has instilled amongst many Malaysians the desire to pursue artistic, intellectual and creative values to their absolute limits, and in others the appreciation for and interest in subject matter which has challenged them to be more than what they are. Nevertheless, as a company known around the world for it’s ability to beat even it’s own innovative benchmarks, we at BMW aim to pursue new directions which will continue to capture the spirit and values of what the BMW Shorties is, through a platform which will embrace the contemporary innovations and social dynamics of today.” added Mr. Harris.
Entries to BMW Shorties is now open and aspiring short filmmakers have until November 3rd (Monday) to submit their short film entries. More information regarding BMW Shorties and participation can be obtained via these portals: Website & Facebook.