FILMMAKER Zulhelmy Rusidan has a decade's experience in animation and his latest effort is a poignant tale of family and friendship.
His masterpiece of a short film is 'Kayuh!', which celebrates the cultural richness of his home state Penang as seen through the eyes of a young, aspiring trishaw rider.
"Our hero wants to follow in his father's footsteps and will only get his wish if he can ferry his father's fussy old boss, Tok Mami, around the island for a day," Zulhelmy said at the short film's preview in GSC Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur, recently.
"Along the journey, both the difficult passenger and the determined rider get to know each other and slowly become friends.
"Tok Mami eventually realises there is more to life than being judgemental and decides to help our hero and his father overcome their personal hardships."
Zulhelmy feels fortunate to have been able to rope in veteran actress Kartina Aziz of 'Mami Jarum' fame to voice Tok Mami.
"It's an honour to have Kartina on board. Tok Mami is tailor-made for her and she readily said yes to voicing her."
BORNEO PRIESTESS
Meanwhile, producer Joey Lee shares the richness of Sarawak's multi-ethnic and harmonious cultures with fellow Malaysians in the peninsula through her short film 'Borih, The Bidayuh Paddy Priestess'.
"It utilises the Nanyang style of animation that is stylish yet simple, and takes us along the spiritual journey of a priestess in the making," she said.
"Our heroine falls sick and this makes her spirit travel to the realm of spirits where she learns the ways of a priestess from her forefathers.
"She eventually gets healed and is equipped with newfound gifts that she uses for the benefit of her loved ones and the tribe as a whole."
ASPIRING ANIMATORS TO THE FORE
Zulhelmy and Lee are among 15 filmmakers who are debuting their works at the ongoing 2nd Malaysia Animation Film Festival (MAFF), presented by Golden Screen Cinemas via GSC International Screens in collaboration with the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation's (MDEC) Kre8tif programme.
The festival is aimed at strengthening the local movie landscape by providing aspiring animators with greater opportunities to showcase their creativity on the big screen.
As part of MAFF 2024, 15 short films are being screened at selected GSC cinemas nationwide until Oct 30.
At the festival's launch in GSC Mid Valley Megamall recently, GSC chief executive officer Koh Mei Lee said: "The second edition of the Malaysia Animation Film Festival is one of our cornerstone efforts to uplift and showcase the incredible potential of Malaysia's animated films in collaboration with like-minded partners such as MDEC.
"This year, we are once again excited to present a diverse and thrilling line-up of homegrown animations, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and creativity.
"MAFF serves as a testament to the bright future of Malaysian cinema, and we look forward to continuing to support our talented filmmakers."
DEEP CREATIVITY
Spanning different animation styles, the 15 short films showcase the creative depth of their respective stories on the big screen.
The other films are 'Biji' by Chew Kin Lek, 'Dead Dah' by Tan Hui Ci, 'Fish Memory' by Siti Sarah Sheik Sharufuddin and Hazelina Hezly, 'Gnome' by Sacha Goedegebure, 'Grimoire' by Jared Lee, 'Kring!' by Hilmi Ismail, 'My Love' by Tan Zheng Ning, 'Strings' by Julian Chong Kah Hoong, 'The Seventh Night: Mao Mao Revisits' by Ah Loong, 'The Dalang's Tale' by Irwan Junaidy, 'The Muralz: Year Of The Flying Dragon' by Jeremy Lee, 'The Cliff House' by Wong Jin Yao and 'Vow' by Wong Xu Hong.
Jared Lee is best-known for 'Horologist', which won Best Animation at the USA Film Festival and the San Diego Comic-Con Film Festival 2023 — the first Malaysian film to achieve such a feat.
MAFF 2024 tickets are priced at RM15.
For more information, visit www.gsc.com.my.