The Festival returns in its physical form this year after last year's hybrid fashion

13 Jul - The 5th Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) and Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA) officially returns physically on Monday with a 5-day film festival at the Dadi Cinema and the awards ceremony on the 16th at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur.

The opening ceremony of the festival was held at the main entrance of Pavilion KL, witnessed by a number of filmmakers and invited guests, including Christine Hakim, Jury President of the Golden Global Awards, Taiwanese actor Wu Ke-Xi, "Edge of the World" director Michael Haussman, producer and actress Josie Ho, as well as producer Rob Allyn and Conroy Chan.

Local filmmakers include festival ambassador Bront Palarae, short film competition judges Jasmine Suraya and Reuben Kang, Juries of Malaysia Golden Global Award Chong Keat Aun and Ho Wi Ding, directors Namron, Megat Shahrizal, Susan Lankester, Liew Seng Tat, Woo Ming Jin, Helmi Yusof, Siti Khadijah, actors Joey Leong, Debbie Goh, Angela Chan, Daniella Sya, Daphne Low, etc.

MIFFest founder and chairperson Joanne Goh arrives in style

Christine Hakim with her husband Jeroen Lezer

Wu Ke-Xi graced the event

Opening the said festival was the film "Edge of the World", helmed by Hollywood director Michael Haussman. The movie is set in Sarawak, Malaysia and has the support of the Sarawak Tourism Board. It tells the story of the 19th century British explorer James Brooke, who led the indigenous people of Malaysia out of British colonial rule.

Director Michael Haussman and producer Josie Ho mentioned that they were very happy to bring the film to Malaysia and present it with a strong cast of local actors, including Malay film actor and festival ambassador Bront Palarae, Shaheizy Sam and other leading actors at the event.

"Edge of the World" premiered in Malaysia at the event

Michael Haussman and Josie Ho

Bront Palarae is the ambassador for MIFFest and MGGA

The 5th Malaysia International Film Festival will be running until 15 July at Dadi Cinema Pavilion KL. Screening tickets are now available to purchase on Dadi Cinema's website at dadi.my.

On the other hand, the 5th Malaysia Golden Global Awards will be held on 16 July at the Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur, with live broadcast via Unifi TV and MIFFEST official Facebook.