MAFF 2024 to spotlight homegrown animators with an exciting lineup of Homegrown Animated Shorts

20 Sep - The second edition of the Malaysia Animation Film Festival (MAFF) has been launched as a joint effort between Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

Running from 3 - 30 October at selected GSC locations nationwide*, the festival aims to strengthen the local movie landscape and provide a platform for aspiring animators to showcase their work.

Ms Koh Mei Lee, Chief Executive Officer of GSC emphasised the festival's role in uplifting Malaysia's local film industry and showcasing its potential. The collaboration with MDEC's 'Kre8tif' programme underscores the commitment to supporting talented Malaysian filmmakers.

Jared Lee's anthology, "Grimoire"

This year's lineup features 14 short animation films and internationally acclaimed filmmaker Jared Lee's "Grimoire." The festival highlights diverse animation styles and storytelling techniques from homegrown talent. Notably, "Grimoire" is a meta-narrative short film by Jared Lee, exploring creativity and self-doubt through a fictionalised elderly version of himself.

Jared Lee's previous work, "Horologist" had achieved significant international recognition in 2023, winning Best Animation at both the USA Film Festival and San Diego Comic-Con Film Festival (SDCC). This marks the first time a Malaysian film has won at SDCC.

MAFF tickets are priced at RM15, offering audiences an affordable opportunity to experience a wide range of animated works that represent the unique perspectives and artistic talents of Malaysian storytellers.

This year's line-up includes the following titles:

• "BIJI" by Chew Kin Lek
• "Borih, The Bidayuh Paddy Priestess" by Will K
• "Dead Da" by Tan Hui Ci
• "Fish Memory" by Siti Sarah Binti Sheik Sharufuddin & Hazelina binti Hezly
• "Gnome" by Sacha Goedegebure
• "Grimoire" by Jared Lee
• "Kayuh!" By Zulhelmy Rusidan (Saikomi)
• "Kring!" By Hilmi Ismail
• "My Love" by Tan Zheng Ning
• "Strings" by Julian Chong Kah Hoong
• "The 7th Night: MaoMao Revisits" by AhLoong
• "The Dalang's Tale" by Irwan Junaidy, Maizura Abas & Atiqah Mohd Abu Bakar
• "The Muralz: Year of The Flying Dragon" by Jeremy Lee
• "The Cliff House" by Wong Jin Yao
• "VOW" by Wong Xu Hong

As part of MAFF 2024's pipeline of events, an exclusive Q&A session led by the directors of the 14 short animated films & Jared Lee ("Grimoire") will be held on 12 October at GSC Mid Valley Megamall from 10.00 AM to 3.30 PM. This session is set to inspire passionate film-enthusiasts, with the opportunity to discover the behind-the-scenes of the animation journey.

*Selected GSC Locations:
Central: GSC Mid Valley, GSC 1 Utama, GSC LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre, GSC IOI City Mall
Northern Regions: GSC Gurney Plaza
Southern Regions: GSC Paradigm JB, GSC Dataran Pahlawan
East Malaysia: GSC Suria KK