The 2020 SeaShorts Film Festival concluded on Sunday, ending a weeklong series of virtual events celebrating the depth and diversity of short film from across Southeast Asia.
June Wong, Shaiful Yahya, and Syaz Zainal emerged as the biggest winners of the competition section, with their collaborative work Peon sweeping the coveted best of fest SeaShorts Award, Next New Wave Award for best Malaysian title, as well as the nod for outstanding editing. Based on actual events, the drama depicts the country's uneasy relationship with migrant labour through scenes played out entirely on a phone screen.
Typically held in a different Malaysian city annually, this year's edition of SeaShorts presented the new wave of Southeast Asian cinema to almost 600 viewers through parallel and dynamic digital streaming in light of social distancing restrictions. In retaining the communal atmosphere of the Festival, audiences were able to enjoy screenings, masterclasses, forums, and other interactive sessions with participating guests from the comfort of home.
All the winners:
SeaShorts Award for Best Film | Peon by June Wong, Shaiful Yahya, and Syaz Zainal (Malaysia)
Synopsis: A true story told entirely through a phone screen, a delivery rider gets more than he bargained for when he receives an order to deliver passports.
Next New Wave Award for Best Malaysian Film | Peon by June Wong, Shaiful Yahya, and Syaz Zainal (Malaysia)
Best Direction Award | Stay Awake, Be Ready by Pham Thien An (Vietnam)
Synopsis: Three young men are engaged in conversation at a street corner, until a motorcycle accident turns their night into something more.
Best Screenplay Award | Evening Stroll by Candra Aditya (Indonesia)
Synopsis: When a couple loses their wallet during a picnic, they rediscover the beauty of their love through conversation.
Best Cinematography Award | BURA by Eden Junjung (Indonesia)
Synopsis: While danger lurks in a time of political unrest, a scholar leaves his guard post to meet with his lover.
Best Sound Award | BURA by Eden Junjung (Indonesia)
Best Editing Award | Peon by June Wong, Shaiful Yahya, and Syaz Zainal (Malaysia)
Best Performance Award | The Cloud Is Still There by Mickey Lai Loke Yee (Malaysia)
Synopsis: A young woman grapples with clashing religious beliefs as she prays for her terminally ill grandfather.
Jury Award | BURA by Eden Junjung (Indonesia)
Special Mention | Elsa by Lim Jen Nee (Singapore)
Synopsis: Six-year-old Stanley has a year left to play Disney's Queen Elsa to his heart's content, before he has to start schooling.
Audience Award | Stay Awake, Be Ready by Pham Thien An (Vietnam)
