The Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) is back for its seventh edition, set to take Kuala Lumpur by storm from July 21 to July 28. This annual celebration of cinema has become a cornerstone event in Malaysia’s cultural calendar, drawing filmmakers, actors, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world to the vibrant heart of Southeast Asia. Below are the highlights of MIFFest 2024.
Film screenings
Screenings will return to the beloved GSC theatres, with showings at GSC MyTown from July 22 to 28 and a special screening at GSC BBCC on July 26. This year’s program is a feast for the senses, featuring a world premiere, six Asian premieres, nine Southeast Asian premieres, and 20 Malaysian premieres.
Each film offers a unique glimpse into cinema’s diverse and vibrant world, showcasing the innovative storytelling and creative flair of talented casts and directors across various genres.
Opening and closing films
The festival will kick off with the Southeast Asian premiere of Indera, a highly anticipated Malaysian horror film directed by Woo Ming Jin and starring Shaheizy Sam and Azira Shafinaz. This spine-chilling movie sets the stage for a thrilling week of cinema.
The grand finale will feature a double bill: the Malaysian premiere of Love Lies, a poignant drama from Hong Kong directed by Ho Miu Ki, and the Southeast Asian premiere of Peg O’ My Heart, another Hong Kong masterpiece directed by Nick Cheung.
MIFFest competition segment
MIFFest’s competitive segment promises to be a highlight, showcasing nine groundbreaking films from around the world. Each entry offers unique insights and fresh perspectives for a thrilling cinematic showdown.
Among the festival’s highlights are local gems and international favourites that are set to captivate audiences. Malaysian film lovers will be thrilled by Abang Adik, directed by Jin Ong, while international cinephiles can look forward to Betania from Brazil, directed by Marcelo Botta, Every You Every Me from Germany, by Michael Fetter Nathansky, and the French entry, In the Land of Brothers by Alireza Ghasemi and Raha Amirfazli.
The competition lineup also features a rich tapestry of global cinema, including Rapture from India and China, Sujo from Mexico, The Editorial Office from Ukraine, and two standout films from Hong Kong: The Great Phuket and Within a Budding Grove, with the latter making its world premiere.
With a diverse selection of 50 films from over 30 countries, MIFFest’s program slate is set to impress. Highlights include the ‘Homegrown Indie: Open Air Cinema’, the star-studded ‘A-Lister’ section featuring top-tier talent, the vibrant and edgy ‘Neon’ series, and the spine-tingling ‘Afterdark’ program for those who love a good scare.
A program honouring the late Malaysian director Yasmin Ahmad will include a screening of some of her features and commercial favourites, and there will also be special programs dedicated to Hirokazu Kore-eda and Christine Hakim.
Check out the full film lineup here.
TV2 and RTM Klik will both carry a live broadcast of the MIFFest Malaysia Golden Global Awards night, which will take place at Auditorium Seri Angkasa.
