Sini-Ma Fest: Stop Saying The Local Film Industry Is Dead

There’s a myth that no local films are worth watching anymore. On November 16th, Naema, our Film and TV journalist, hit Sini-Ma Short Film Festival at HELP University and showed just how wrong that belief is.

Photo Credits: Shamita, Sini-Ma Fest Photography Team

Everyone loves to say the Malaysian film industry is “dead”. Not struggling, not evolving, but dead. Like someone already held a funeral, handed out kuih, and moved on. But a lot of these people also haven't watched a Malaysian film since Sepet, so honestly… should we trust them? (Come on lah…)

That’s why events like Sini-Ma Fest exist, and thank God they do. SinimaFest is a student-led short film festival that cleverly plays on “cine” in cinema and the Malay word “sini” (“here”), organised by HELP University students, for students.

Our journalists from IGNITE at Sini-Ma Short Film Festival!

Before the screenings even began, the organisers talked about their vision: nostalgic, old-school cinema, retro fonts, warm reds, and that unmistakable “film kid with a dream” energy. And the best part? Everything was created by students. The branding, the planning, the chaos, the teamwork; 22 students pulling off something bigger than most full-blown festivals I've seen. They were tired, stressed, and caffeinated out of their minds, but somehow, they made magic.

The Sini-Ma Team (Photo Credits: Edmund, Sini-Ma Fest Photography Team)

“Sometimes the most powerful films are made with nothing but a small camera, a few friends, and a strong message.” — Ashley, Project Coordinator of SinimaFest.

Hearing that alone made the whole  “our industry is dead” narrative feel outdated, dramatic and honestly… a bit “auntie-gossip” energy.

Then, the Films started:

Once the screenings started, it was obvious: Malaysian student filmmakers are not messing around.

This is when I realised: if the industry is truly “dead”, then these students must be performing some kind of cinematic CPR, because the creativity was very much alive. Romance, horror, nostalgia, fantasy, grief, friendship;  each screening felt like proof that Malaysian storytellers are still here, and they're not afraid to experiment. They might be eating Maggi at 2am in an editing lab, but make no mistake, they’re definitely the future of Malaysian cinema.

Honorable mentions from the screening: 

'Free Fall' by Belle Khoo (Photo Credits: Sini-Ma Fest Photography Team)

• A Script By…by Kishan Kumar from Sunway University kicks off with a student munching cookies, scrunching papers, and repeating the same actions over and over. It's chaotic, frustrating, but also strangely relatable, like life compressed into a messy, black-and-white loop.

• The Secret of Us by Goh Hui Yan from UCSI College tells the story of a bullied boy and a kind friend sharing quiet, meaningful moments. It's a gentle kind of storytelling that sneaks up on you and reminds you to actually appreciate the people around you when they're still with us. 

• Free Fall from Belle Khoo from BAY Production looks like a teen romance at first, as we see a boy fearful about giving a love letter to someone he likes. But it is really about freedom, courage, and learning to land after taking a leap. Definitely not your typical cliche love story.

• Warisan Kasih by Lee Xuenn and Farisha from TARUMT University is full-on fantasy with mystical keris battles and alternate realities, yet underneath the chaos, it is about family and heritage. Heartwarming enough to make you go “aww” and also slightly jealous of their epic imagination.

• The Little One by Wajeehah Athar and SIM from UCSI College tackles sibling grief in a haunted house. It’s a short about letting go, proving horror can teach you life lessons, too.

• Paper Cutting by Chawit Lai from UCSI College is a quiet documentary exploring the art of paper cutting, showing how cinema can put a lens on traditional crafts that rarely get attention and teach us more about their history.

Not every film hit the mark, but the ones that did made it clear that Malaysian student filmmakers are fearless, inventive, and here to shake things up. And most importantly, their passion really reaches you through the screen. 

Alive and Thriving

Photo Credits: Sini-Ma Fest Photography Team

So here’s my takeaway: Malaysian cinema is not dead, not even close. Nowadays, the local industry is stepping up on every front. From box-office-smashing action like Blood Brothers: Bara Naga to Cannes-winning body-horror Tiger Stripes, historical epics like Mat Kilau: The Rise of a Warrior, and of course, bold and applaudable student shorts at SinimaFest, the scene is evolving; loud, chaotic, and packed with talent that refuses to play it safe. 

SinimaFest is a reminder that creativity isn't hiding in Hollywood or Seoul. It's happening in classrooms, editing labs and student communities across Malaysia. You don’t need a giant budget, fancy equipment, or Instagram clout to make films that actually matter. All it takes is heart, creativity, and a few caffeine-fueled students willing to push boundaries. 

Photo Credits: Sini-Ma Fest Photography Team

So the next time someone casually declares that Malaysian cinema is dead, just sip your tea, give a smile, and tell them to show up at the next local film festival (because they happen more often than people think). Because what’s rising now isn’t an industry on life support, but a new wave of filmmakers finding their voice. These storytellers are only getting started, and there are still countless stories waiting to be told. 

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Journalist: Naema Editor: Sue Ann Sini-Ma Fest Photography Team: Shamita, Edmund Special Thanks to Kash from the Sini-Ma Team for the invite.