Short film 'Suraya' wins Best Film at AYYIF 2016

Based on a real situation the director, Zulaikha herself faced, it tells the story of ballet dancer Suraya who was chosen to perform in a show titled 'Adam & Eve' and had a conflict with her conservative mother, causing her to wonder if she should accept the offer.

According to the film's producer, Ikhlas Khaled Novel Ngadimin shooting began early this year, taking four days and involving 10 crew members.

'Suraya' also won an award for best narrative in the festival which was launched by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching.

All the winners won trophies and certificates of appreciation.

This is the second time UUM is organising the AYYIF 2016 with its nine categories, with 60 local and foreign participants including from the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

The best documentary award was won by Julien Miguel N. Hernandez from the University of the Philippines, with the film 'Macho Gwapito', while the best music video was won by Noor Shafiq Nordin from Lightbrother Production with his entry 'Langkah Pendekar'.

Azfar Hamdii Mohd Saidi from Mr The All Shared Production won the best public service announcement through his entry 'Gentleman', while in the "Young Mind' category, the winner was 'Dendam' directed by Illman Farihin Rasid from Sekolah Menengah Agama Johor Bahru.

In the 'Animation' category, the film 'Dumpling Dilemma' directed by Yu Jin and Andy Friz from the Collumbus College of Art and Design, Ohio, USA won the Special Jury Award (Non-Asia) while 'Pagari Bulan' directed by Raja Aidzal Hakim from Centro Picture received the Special Jury Award.

This year AYYIF also presented two special awards, the Young Generation Film Acting Icon to Pekin Ibrahim and Young Generation Film Director Icon to Shamsul Yusof.