News and Photos By : @FINASMalaysia
Genting Highlands, March 5 – Bradley Liew’s debut feature film, ‘Singing In Graveyards’ which tells the tale of Pepe, a 68 year old impersonator of a Filipino rock legend, lives alone on the borders of reality, imagination and mysticism scooped the top prize at the 1st inaugural Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA) by winning the Best Picture award.
This Malaysian-Filipino venture project by Malaysian young filmmaker, Bradly Liew who received the award has beautifully shared the spotlight and glorious moment with the other award-winning films tonight; Toni Erdmann (Best Actress), I Daniel Blake (Best Screenplay), Ma Rosa (Best Director), Apprentice (Best New Director), Hema Hema:Sing Me A Song While I Wait (Audience Choice Award) and I Am Not Madame Bovary (Best Cinematography). In addition, the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Malaysian veteran actress; Dato’ Lai Meng for her remarkable contributions and achievements in the TV and film industry.
Hosted by Harith Iskander and Owen Yap, the night was further electrified with amazing performances from famous star-studded line up; Dato’ Sheila Majid, Dennis Lau, Victor Wong and Shila Amzah. Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA) which was aired on Channel 456 Astro A – List from Arena of Stars, Genting Higlands is an initiative to become an international platform to showcase the talent of established filmmakers from across the globe. Besides, it reflects the powerful ideas of film making and to provide talented filmmakers a wider attention and space by showcasing their art, craft and culture to the global audience.
Thus, the Jury President of Malaysian International Film Festival (MIFFEST) and Malaysia Golden Global Awards ( MGGA), Mr. Dong Ho, Prof. Xie Fei (China), Garin Nugruho (Indonesia), Yeh Ju Feng (Taiwan), Yeo Yann Yann (Malaysia) and Andreas Dresen (Germany) have previously expressed the significance of this anticipated festival in celebrating cinema as an essential art form and empowering Malaysia as the launching pad of both local and Asian cinema industry.
The full list of winners:
Best New Director- Boo Jun Feng (Apprentice)/Singapore
Best Cinematography- Pan Luo (I Am Not Madame Bovary)/China
Lifetime Achievement Award- Dato’ Lai Kwai Yoon (Lai Meng)
Best Screenplay-Paul Laverty (I, Daniel Blake)/UK & France
Audience Choice Award- Hema Hema:Sing Me A Song While I Wait/ Bhutan & Hong Kong
Best Director- Brillante Mendoza (Ma’ Rosa)/Phillipines
Best Actress- Sandra Huller (Toni Erdmann)/Germany
Best Actor- Eric Tsang (Mad World)/Hong Kong
Best Picture- Singing in Graveyards (Bradly Liew) Malaysia/Philippines