Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Progresif Media announced the winners of the 4th PRISM UBD Short Film Festival 2021 on FASS UBD Official YouTube Channel on Saturday 4 December 2021.

In the welcoming remarks, Mayyer Ling, co-organiser of PRISM UBD Short Film Festival, mentioned, 'In a time of uncertainty, the 4th Edition of PRISM UBD Short Film Festival going virtual cannot come at a better time. Our young creatives continue to have a platform to showcase their works. The pandemic did not hamper these young creatives’ high-quality short films. The nearly 2,500 cumulative views of the short film premieres are promising indicators of the brewing interest in local filmmakers’ work in the Sultanate.’

The Senior Manager of Broadcasting Development Industry Group of AITI, Rosnani Hj Md Yussof, chaired this year’s jury panel which consisted of invited members of the festival panel of judges. The panel included Farid Azlan Ghani, Manager in Broadcasting Content Development Industry Development Group of AITI; Dr Alex Fischer, Dean of Mahakarya Institute of the Arts Asia; Mariah Zaharaa, Head of Oddbox Pictures Sdn Shd; Shiekh Idham, CEO of Lailatul Shazanas Studio; Abdul Zainidi, Director at Brurealism Pictures; and A’aqiil Ahmad, Head of Filterworks Productions.

Impressed with the UBD students’ skills, judges presented the Best Screenplay Award to About Wabak produced by Farhan Nizam, and Haji Haziq was awarded the Best Performance Award for Actor for his role in the short film. About Wabak is a mockumentary centered around a COVID-19 patient survivor who has to overcome obstacles when learning to live in the new normal.

Syahmi Batrisyia was awarded Best Performance Award for Actress in her role as a struggling musician striving for perfection in Crescendo.

Further awards saw the Best Cinematography award presented to Not Toaster by Rahim Sofri. The short film was also named Best Short Film (10 to 20 minutes). Not Toaster follows its protagonist Mango in the inevitable quest of completing his college assignment while being tested by the power of his will to stay focused.

Halim Ashari, creator and director of Disconnected and Crescendo won Best Director Award and Best Editing Award. Disconnected also won Best Short Film (under 10 minutes). The film depicts the journey of uncovering the root cause of a complicated mother-daughter relationship.

To cap off the night of celebrations, Kelindahau directed by Iqbal Masmin, took home the People’s Choice Award by receiving the highest number of votes from the public. The supernatural horror film follows a farmer and tells a folktale about a mysterious entity transforming its appearance into anyone it desires.

In his closing remarks, Dr Yong Liu, co-organiser of PRISM UBD Short Film Festival, thanked UBD FASS and Corporate Communications Office for their unwavering support for PRISM, Progresif Media for the partnership in running this year festival and the People's Choice Award, and the juries of AITI managers and media professionals for their industry insights. He also thanked those registered for the festival premiere and viewers of the short films. He hopes to continue to cater to the needs of young filmmakers and their audiences by collaborating with more industry professionals and media agencies in the future.

Ms Olivia Ong, Progresif Head of Media, offered these comments: ‘With the partnership with UBD, we hope these awards inspire the next generation of storytellers as FASS students bring the uniqueness of Brunei to the screen.’

Following the awards ceremony, the winning content titles will be published on the Progresif Media platform as paid content through a revenue-sharing agreement with the UBD student filmmakers.

Awards Information:

• Best Screenplay Award: Rafeatul Zaini for About Wabak
• Best Cinematography Award: Rahim Sofri for Not Toaster
• Best Editing Award: Halim Ashari for Disconnected
• Best Performance Award (Actor): Haji Haziq for About Wabak
• Best Performance Award (Actress): Syahmi Batrisya for Crescendo
• Best Director Award: Halim Ashari for Crescendo and Disconnected
• Best Short Film Award (under 10 min.): Disconnected by Halim Ashari & team
• Best Short Film Award (10-20 min.): Not Toaster by Rahim Sofri & team
• People’s Choice Award: Kelindahau by Iqbal Masmin