Taylor’s University Film Festival 2024: A month-long celebration of filmmaking
Amidst applause, the curtains have gone down for another year at the Taylor’s University Film Festival (TUFF) 2024.
In its fourth running since 2019, TUFF provides a platform to encourage film and media students as well as aspiring and emerging filmmakers around the world to showcase their filmmaking artistry.
TUFF 2024 included workshops, forums, and screenings
During the screening of the shortlisted finalists two weeks before, we found out that the festival was entirely organized and run by academics and students from the School of Media and Communication (SOMAC).
The month-long festival held several film screenings, collaborative workshops, forums and an awards night for individuals who are interested to pursue their passion in the film industry. The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), ACE Pictures and RED Communications lent their support by providing real-world insights and strategies for overcoming obstacles in film production. Meanwhile, DJI Malaysia introduced participants to the world of drone technology and aerial content creation.
TUFF 2024 received a total of 113 film submissions from within Malaysia and globally. The full lineup included entries from Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
A total of 11 film nominations, which included a short film from a Taylor’s University student, were
selected to the Film Showcase event that took place at Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC).
This all culminated with an award ceremony that was held at The Grand Hall, Taylor’s University. A total of 14 awards in various categories were presented to local and international winners. Spotted in the crowd were local film industry practitioners like film director and theatre practitioner Khairi Anwar, television producer Zabrina Fernandez, film director Derrik Yaw, and producer of ACE Pictures Entertainment, Peter Wong.
The awards were presented by special guests of the night which included Dato Kamil Othman (Chairman of FINAS), Professor Hassan Muthalib (Father of Malaysian Animation), Lina Tan (RED Communications) and Pan Vui Shang (Head of Operations of Golden Screen Cinemas).
Cultivating the next generation of filmmakers through Taylor’s University
GSC also hosted a special screening featuring the finest Impact Lab themed short documentaries
from Taylor’s University’s Bachelor of Mass Communication (Honours) in Digital Media Production
students.
Starting last year, TUFF has been recognising several student-produced documentary films
that are aligned with the Liveable Urban Communities Impact Lab, a transdisciplinary ecosystem with
the vision to highlight and improve the quality of life of urban communities and create liveable, vibrant
urban places in Malaysia.
“Films hold a profound influence on society, serving as a powerful medium for storytelling, and holding a
dynamic force that shapes and reflects the world we live in…Inspired by this, we are dedicated to cultivating the next generation of
– Prema Ponnudurai, Head of School, School of Media and Communication, Taylor’s University.
visionary filmmakers through TUFF. We aim to use the platform that we have to ignite passion,
celebrate creativity, and honour excellence in filmmaking, empowering youth to become transformative
forces in the world.”
