The ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards (AIFFA) 2025 continues its vibrant celebration of Southeast Asian cinema with the Borneo Documentaries Screening
and Awards, held yesterday in Kuching, Sarawak.
In a groundbreaking dedication to non-fiction storytelling, AIFFA proudly introduces the
Borneo Documentary Awards -a new competition category dedicated to recognising powerful nonfiction works rooted in Borneo and East Malaysia.
According to Livan Tajang, AIFFA Festival Director, “This dedicated track provides a unique
platform for local filmmakers to showcase their creative voices and bring global attention to
the cultural, traditional, and geographical wonders of the island.”
Awards and Recognition
Three key award categories are:
- Best Borneo Feature Documentary Award
- Best East Malaysian Documentary Award
- Borneo Documentary Special Merit Award
The shortlisted nominees for each category include:
Best Borneo Feature Documentary:
- Niah National Park – Sarawak Media Group (Malaysia)
- Wujud – New Wave Films BN (Brunei)
- Indu Gar Indu Takar – Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Sarawak (Malaysia)
- State Of Energy – Sarawak Media Group (Malaysia)
Best East Malaysian Short Documentary:
- Songs of The Highlands – Outcast (Malaysia)
- The Rhythm of Our Ancestors: Hivan Kayau – Lasan Co. (Malaysia)
- Savouring Sibu – Sarawak Media Group (Malaysia)
- Rising Above: The Spirit of Bung Podad – UNIMAS (Malaysia)
- Threads of Time: Kenyah Stories Unfolded – Sarawak Media Group (Malaysia)
The distinguished panel of jurors comprises:
Lina Teoh (Kuala Lumpur), Prisca Florence Wong (Sarawak / Kuala Lumpur), Amelia Hapsari
(Jakarta), Candida Jau (Sarawak) and Nadira Ilana (Kuala Lumpur / Sabah). Their expertise
spans across the region, ensuring that the selections reflect both regional authenticity and
global storytelling standards.
Empowering the Next Generation of Storytellers
Following the awards segment, AIFFA 2025 launched AIFFA Biz World at 3:00 PM with an
engaging “Biz Talk” series featuring regional industry leaders:
- Anthony Buncio: “Empowering Future Storytellers: Bridging Tradition and AI Innovation”
- Carlo Obispo: “From Local Roots to Global Screens: Crafting Stories Beyond Borders”
These sessions aim to inspire ASEAN filmmakers to embrace new technologies while remaining true to their cultural narratives.
