A recent statement by a young actor claiming that trophies from local award events are not a true measure of success has sparked lively debate among fans and creative industry fratenity.
The actor, who expressed aspirations to win an Academy Award, drew criticism for seemingly undervaluing local awards and their role in promoting artistic talent.
Addressing the topic during the recent "Lihatlah Dunia: Trofi FFM Merubah Hidupku" forum, acclaimed actress and primadona of Malay films, Erra Fazira, shared her perspective on the significance of recognition at award ceremonies.
Erra, who won Best Actress at the 15th and 18th editions of the Malaysia Film Festival (FFM) for her roles in 'Soal Hati' and 'Hingga Hujung Nyawa', emphasised the motivational impact of such accolades.
"Whether in acting or singing, awards are a form of appreciation for our work.
"Events like FFM celebrate the contributions of everyone in the industry — directors, actors, crew and beyond.
"Winning or even being nominated is a benchmark that drives us to elevate our efforts and outputs," she said.
Erra credited her victories at FFM with bolstering her career, saying they increased her credibility among industry players and audiences.
"When we're recognised, it inspires us to deliver even better performances.
"The recognition at FFM opened doors to more challenging roles and strengthened trust in my capabilities."
Erra added that the value of an award lies not only in the trophy itself but also in the encouragement it provides to continually improve.
"Winning awards doesn't mean the journey is over. It should fuel us to strive for growth because today's best may be overshadowed by tomorrow's rising talent."
The forum also featured insights from National Film Development Corporation (Finas) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, Datuk Rosyam Nor, Fauziah Ahmad Daud, and Maya Karin, with actor-director Ellie Suriaty Omar moderating the session.
Echoing Erra's sentiments, Rosyam and the other panellists highlighted the importance of honing talent, discipline and a commitment to quality.
Erra dismissed the notion that physical beauty alone could guarantee success in the industry.
"Attracting audiences with appearance may work initially, but without talent, it leads nowhere. We must avoid creating superficiality in the arts."
She urged actors to continually refine their skills to elevate the industry as a whole.
"Improvement in our craft builds confidence not just in us but also in the products we create.
"Ultimately, we're not competing to outdo one another but to contribute meaningfully to the creative landscape."