BMW Group Malaysia has announced the launch of the 19th edition of the BMW Shorties, the country’s longest-running short film and digital content competition. This year’s theme, “New Dimensions”, calls on Malaysian storytellers to transcend conventional narratives and explore new creative frontiers in form, structure, and perspective.
Submissions will be accepted from 1st September to 24th October 2025, as the competition once again sets the stage for aspiring and established filmmakers to push the boundaries of visual storytelling.
Illustrating A Narrative
Since its inception in 2006, the BMW Shorties has served as a vital platform for creative expression in Malaysia, receiving over 1,300 short film submissions and honouring more than 130 winners across various categories. The initiative has helped catapult local filmmakers to global recognition, with past entries showcased at prestigious international festivals including Cannes, Rotterdam, Oberhausen, and New York.
“With each passing year, the BMW Shorties has evolved from a competition into a cultural movement reflecting the creative pulse of Malaysia,” explains Sashi Ambihaipahan, Director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at BMW Group Malaysia.
“Building on the momentum of last year’s theme, Pulse, which reignited energy across the creative scene, New Dimensions challenges filmmakers to reimagine structure and complexity — much like how BMW continually redefines innovation and sustainability through openness in technology and the Power of Choice.”
Creative Platform
As with the competition each year, the BMW Shorties has assembled an esteemed panel of judges. This year’s panel features five distinguished names in the Malaysian film industry. This includes Zan Azlee, award-winning filmmaker and documentarian known for his unflinching social commentary and Dato’ Gerald Hans Isaac, veteran actor-director and Chairman of FINAS, bringing decades of industry insight.
They will be joined by Nadiah Hamzah, director of emotionally resonant films such as Motif, Saw Teong Hin, celebrated for visually arresting works like Puteri Gunung Ledang and Ts. Dr. Vimala Perumal, a pioneer in Malaysian Tamil cinema, known for her blend of academic and creative innovation.
The Grand Prize Winner will receive a RM 50,000 production grant to develop a fully-funded short film. Additional accolades will be awarded across key categories, including Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Sound Design, People’s Choice Award, and the Best Student Award.
Entries must be submitted via the official BMW Shorties website by 6pm on 24th October 2025.
(Main Image: Tom Caillarec/Unsplash)
