Heatseeker highlights works by active students and recent graduates in Malaysia. Selected from 26 short films nominated by 7 different film schools, the formation of sidebar represents a turn towards the roots and soils of filmmaking: showing the lineup of 10 short films developed under various film education institutions with diverse schools of thought.
Heatseeker 1
Curated by Eddy Tan
The Love Poem of Dondang Sayang
Lau Lih Han
“Dondang Sayang” is a short documentary featuring Tuan Haji Idriss Bin Haji Shariff from Malacca, Malaysia, a dedicated jurulatih (trainer) striving to preserve this traditional art form.
Silent Love
Leonard Hoh Jie Ren
A daughter who helps her deaf and mute mother to sell food to support her family often gets teased by her friends.
We Stand Together
Akram bin Ashraf
JAGA, led by Sel and his two officers, is a government unit managing the coexistence of the supernatural and humans. Jackie, a reporter, records their activities for rakyat approval. But Sel’s ethical boundaries are tested, when they confront a Sundel Bolong.
Be Still
Goh Cheng Hao
David, a young Christian, grapples with the conflict between his faith’s teachings on love and his growing feelings for a girl he meets at university. As their relationship deepens, he faces difficult choices and must confront his inner turmoil.
GRANDPA & ME
Haziq Anwar Bin Feisal Shamsuri & Jayashreeseelan
This documentary focuses on the relationship between a granddaughter and her grandfather, who is living with dementia. The film captures the emotional complexities of their bond, offering a moving reflection of love, memory, and the challenges they face together.
Heatseeker 2
Curated by Eddy Tan
The Lake
Raja Nurul Syakirah Binti Raja Rizal Iskandar
Danau is set in a 90s village and tells the story of Kartika, a young boy who dreams of being a girl. He discovers a mystical lake that grants wishes, but every wish comes with unforeseen consequences.
Superstar!
Rahmah Zulaiqa
When Zahra, a nervous performer, loses her mother’s cherished necklace before her biggest concert. Upon learning the news of her mother’s accident, she is forced to choose between her family or her career.
The Conclusion
SASHWIN A/L R CHANDRASEGERAN
Nagayah, a dedicated 55-year-old worker nearing retirement, prepares for his farewell speech while struggling to communicate with his busy son.
Grandfather
Nur Aliyana binti Mohamad Rezana
The film is set in Terengganu and draws from the nostalgic elements of the filmmaker’s childhood. It focuses on a central figure, the filmmaker’s grandfather, Tokbak. They shared meaningful moments at various places, the most significant place being Tokbak’s house, where he spent his final days.
The Next Stop
Cha Chun Chuan (CC)
After returning home from the city, Jia En discovered that her grandmother’s condition had deteriorated significantly. Close to her grandmother, Jia En asked her mother why no one had informed them about her worsening condition sooner. Later, she realized that her mother was also burdened with heavy pressure and had no outlet for her emotions.