By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 13: The ASEAN UniFest Competition 2025, held in conjunction with the ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards (AIFFA), once again provided a premier platform for university students across ASEAN to showcase their creative talents, while reinforcing Sarawak’s growing role in the international creative tourism and film industry.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan highlighted the importance of the creative sector, including film, as a key pillar of Sarawak’s economic development, noting that it generates new job opportunities and boosts creative tourism.
“In Sarawak, our ministry supports individuals interested in pursuing filmmaking or production studies.
“These funds can be used for master’s programmes or workshops, nurturing skilled film instructors who can elevate the local industry,” he said at the ASEAN UniFest Inter-University SDG Short Film Awards ceremony at The Spring Mall on Wednesday (Nov 12).
Snowdan also shared details of the upcoming RM300 million Performing Arts Centre, which is set to become one of Southeast Asia’s most sophisticated venues.
“This arts centre will be on par with Istana Budaya and is among the first of its kind in the region. It will host international events ranging from orchestras and operas to theatre productions,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the organisers of AIFFA and the ASEAN PR Network for providing a platform for students to explore and express the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through film.
The ceremony was attended by AIFFA 2025 Festival director Livan Tajang, executive directors Jaffri Amin and Shah Sidek, ASEAN UniFest chairman Andrew Trigg, and deputy managing director of the ASEAN PR Network Accreditation and Certification Programme Dr Alexander Mamby Aruan.
According to a media release, this year’s competition saw more than 150 submissions from universities across the ASEAN region. Curated by the Jakarta-based ASEAN PR Network (APRN) in collaboration with AIFFA organiser World Communications, the event celebrates both storytelling and digital innovation.
ASEAN Public Relations Network president Dr (H.C) Prita Kemal Gani stated: “We are not only showcasing the best university films but also equipping students with the skills to leverage digital technologies in storytelling.”
The ASEAN UniFest Inter-University SDG Short Film Awards empowers student filmmakers to address SDG themes, including gender equality, environmental sustainability, and human and civil rights, reinforcing ASEAN’s vision of “one identity, one community, one strong voice.”
ASEAN UniFest 2025 Winners:
- Change Agent Award – A Cup of Hope, LSPR Institute of Communication and Business, Indonesia
- Advocacy Award – Anak Mangku Anak, LSPR Institute of Communication and Business, Indonesia
- Best Documentary Award – Bilin, Davao Del Norte State College, Philippines
- Best Poetic Film Award – Apathy, University Brunei Darussalam, Brunei
- Environment Action Award – LeVovers, LSPR Institute of Communication and Business, Indonesia
- Best Cinematography Award – Hoi An’s Lantern – Making Tradition, Duy Tan University, Vietnam
- Best Drama Award – Umpan: The BeXa Fish, University Malaysia Sarawak & IACT College, Malaysia
- Best Film Award – Till The Last Note, Lasalle College of The Arts, Singapore
— DayakDaily
