Malaysia Ranks Top 3 for Film Submissions at the Prestigious Awards
The Alternativa Film Project, a global non-profit film initiative founded by international technology company inDrive, has officially launched the second edition of the Alternativa Film Awards, to be held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on 29 November.
The Alternativa Film Awards offer a unique platform for recognising filmmakers from developing industries, aiming to bring global visibility to those who are yet to be widely recognised. It honours both artistic merits and the social impact of cinema. Following the success of last year’s inaugural event in Kazakhstan, this year’s edition expands its focus to Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
The 2024 open call for submissions closed on 18 August, attracting 1,043 entries from 33 countries, double the number received last year. Filmmakers across Asia were invited to submit full-length films of any genre, while short films were accepted exclusively from Southeast Asia. Malaysia proudly ranks among the top three countries with the highest number of entries, contributing 58 submissions out of 680 eligible entries (208 full-length and 472 short films). Other eligible entries were from Indonesia (206), Philippines (132), Vietnam (56), India (40) and Thailand (40).
Liza Surganova, Head of Alternativa Film Project, said: “We are delighted and honoured to see such a huge increase in the number of submissions on the second year of the Awards. This shows a tremendous interest in our project from the filmmaking community, especially in South East Asia. This year we are also adding the Film Festival to the Awards to connect filmmakers and their impactful films with their audience and to initiate public discussions on issues that concern all of us”.
Leading up to the Awards Ceremony, several key activities will take place:
Film Festival (22-28 November): Free public screenings of nominated films and discussions on social and cultural topics. These events will engage local and international filmmakers, students, activists, NGOs, and media, exploring cinema’s role in creating social impact.
Industry Days (27-28 November): A specialised program of workshops, showcases, and meetings for film professionals. These sessions will foster collaboration between filmmakers, producers, and impact organisations to strengthen the link between film and social change.
Kanat Nogoibayev, Senior Communications Manager (Sustainability), inDrive, conveyed inDrive’s seriousness regarding its concern for social issues: “inDrive has worked on the front lines of addressing social injustice wherever and whenever we can. Our business is growing rapidly with our mission to have a positive impact on communities around the world, including Malaysia and Indonesia. For this purpose we created a hub called inVision, which challenges the unjust allocation of resources in education, creative industries, startups and sports by making these areas accessible for everyone, and Alternativa Film Project is a crucial part of it”.
Yow Chong Lee, Committee Member of Alternativa Film Awards from Malaysia, who is also a film lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak stated: “I believe Malaysian films have a unique edge in telling stories that matter while deeply engaging their audiences. Many of the films I recommended for submission to Alternativa balance arts, entertainment, and impactful messages — a rare and powerful combination. I’m excited to see how they resonate, not only with festival-goers in Indonesia but with a global audience. These films address contemporary issues like social media’s impact, environmental concerns, inclusivity, and diversity through fresh, innovative approaches that can be universally appreciated.”
The Alternativa Film Awards Selection Committee, consisting of 24 international film experts, will announce the nominees in mid-October. Winners, chosen by an International Jury made up of directors, producers, community leaders, and NGO representatives, will share a total prize fund of $100,000. Four winners in the full-length film categories will receive $20,000 each, while two winners in the short film categories will receive $10,000 each, to support their future filmmaking efforts or impact campaigns.
