‘Fasa’ by Syahmi Norsan Wins the BMW Shorties 2022 Grand Prize Award

The BMW Shorties 2022 marks its post-pandemic return this year, taking place at RexKL in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Clinching the grand prize award that night was ‘Fasa’ – a directorial debut by budding local filmmaker, Syahmi Norsan.

Crowned as the champion for Malaysia’s most prestigious and longest-running grassroot film competition, ‘Fasa’ is a 10-minute story that tackles the complex themes of morality and choices by showcasing a deep and contemplative exchange between two characters – Ehsan and Razak, both are at different stages of their lives.

First-time directing a movie, Syahmi Norsan’s ‘Fasa’ saw him bringing home RM80,000 grand prize in a form of production grant.

“As a first-time director, ‘Fasa’ has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences in my journey as a storyteller. For it to be recognised on a platform as prestigious as the BMW Shorties, alongside such a talented pool of contemporaries no less, is truly humbling,” said Syahmi Norsan.

The short movie was unanimously selected as the winner by a panel of judges from the creative industry, led by filmmaker Saw Teong Hin, alongside Nadiah Hamzah, Jeany Amir, Joon Goh and Anwari Ashraf.

Aside from the grand prize, ‘Fasa’ also took home the ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Actor’ awards, where the panel of judges applauded the whole production team for its excellent production quality and powerful delivery by its actors.

Having directed big and epic films such as Puteri Gunung Ledang, returning judge Saw Teong Hin commented, “Watching ‘Fasa’ for the first time leaves the impression of a very well-made and told story, but at the same time, it leaves just enough space to suggest that there is more than meets the eye.”

Marking its return after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, BMW Shorties award festival kick-started with a guided photowalk session around REXKL, Petaling Street and Kwai Chai Hong.

Members of the audience were indulged with a special screening of all ten finalists of the BMW Shorties 2022 award, alongside director’s commentaries. In charge of serenading the audience that night were local musicians Sweet Rasta and Sound of Jane.

Displayed at the festival was a pair of BMW EVs, namely the iX3 and the iX. Both EVs were donned in the artwork entitled Symbiotic Mesh, created by local artist and designer Jared Lim, also known as ‘Professional Crayon’.

All of the ten finalists’ short films can be viewed on BMW Shorties’ official YouTube page. For more info on the BMW Shorties award, visit their official website by clicking here.