Malaysia International Film Festival Launches Ninth Edition with ASEAN Recognition, Celebrates Southeast Asian Cinema

The ninth Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) commenced on July 18 at MyTown Shopping Centre, initiating an eight-day celebration of global cinema and receiving official recognition from ASEAN Records.

The opening ceremony featured a red carpet event attended by filmmakers, industry professionals, and celebrities. Joanne Goh, founder and president of MIFFest, delivered the welcome address alongside festival ambassadors Bront Palarae, Daiyan Trisha, and Jack Tan, highlighting the 2026 theme, “Resonance.”

“This year, our theme is Resonance—the enduring echo of a story. It is the emotion that lingers after the credits, the conversations that extend beyond the theater, and the cross-cultural connections forged through film,” Goh stated.

Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, chairman of Tourism Malaysia, emphasized the festival’s role in bolstering Malaysia’s creative industries and cultural diplomacy. Attendees included Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, deputy secretary general (strategic communications and creative industry) at the Ministry of Communications, and Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, CEO of FINAS. Goh presented tokens of appreciation to the ambassadors during the event.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the ASEAN Records title to MIFFest, acknowledging its ASEAN On Screen platform and Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA) as a cornerstone for Southeast Asian cinema. Goh accepted the honor on the festival’s behalf.

“When we launched ASEAN On Screen, our goal was to create a permanent platform celebrating Southeast Asian stories, making them accessible globally. We aim to continue connecting diverse voices with international audiences and inspiring the next generation of storytellers,” Goh said.

ASEAN On Screen, introduced in 2025 during Malaysia’s ASEAN chairship, has since become an annual program at MIFFest. The ceremony also honored the festival’s preliminary selection committee and jury panels. Following the event, guests attended the world premiere of “Baga: Tomorrow Belongs To No One,” directed by Ariff Zulkarnain, at GSC MyTown. The film explores personal struggles in a Malaysian fishing community, starring Syafiq Kyle and Sarita Reth. Executive producer Shafiq Yusof and Ariff Zulkarnain led the delegation, joined by Jojo Goh, actor-director Nam Ron, and June Lojong.

This year’s lineup includes Russian Film Week, ASEAN On Screen, Hong Kong Cinema in Flux, New Rhythms of Indian Cinema, Open Air Cinema, masterclasses, and industry forums. The festival concludes on July 25.

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