Horror films Khadam and Malam Terlarang lead the nominations for the Top 5 of the 35th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM35), securing 12 nominations each, including Best Film.
Directed by Shamyl Othman, Khadam received nominations in 12 of the 25 categories contested, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Child Actor, Best Screenplay and Best Original Story.
Produced by Red Communications Sdn Bhd and Komet Productions Sdn Bhd, the film also earned nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Original Music Score, Best Sound Design, Best Theme Song, Best Makeup and Best Poster.
Malam Terlarang, which also achieved success at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2026, received 12 nominations, including Best Film, Best Promising Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Promising Actress.
Directed by the late Norhanisham Muhammad, better known as Labu, and produced by Astro Shaw Sdn Bhd and Infinitus Productions Sdn Bhd, the film was also nominated for Best Editor, Best Sound Design, Best Theme Song, Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects, Best Makeup and Best Poster.
Also competing for Best Film are Mother Bhumi and Abah Saya Uncle Mike, with eight nominations each, and Macai, with six.
The five contenders for Best Short Film are Umpan: The Betta Fish, Salted Fish (Ikan Masin), In the Valley, The Recollection Project (River People: Alikou) and White Wings. The Best Documentary category features Jom Kita ke Laut: Itui Suli-Suli Bajau, Cekal: Kisah Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, Itam: A Sun Bear Story, Nafas Lautan and Invisible Wall.
For Best Actress, Shasha Abedul, nominated for Malam Terlarang, will compete against Aida Amron (Badak), Fish Liew (Pavane For An Infant), Nad Zainal (Denu) and Mimi Lana (Polong).
Beto Kusyairy, who stars in Gayong 2, is among the contenders for Best Actor, alongside Shaheizy Sam (Badak), Idan Aeden (Abah Saya Uncle Mike), Eman Manan (3 Hajat) and Amerul Affendi (Libang Libu).
The Top 5 nominations were announced at the FFM35 launch and Top 5 announcement ceremony officiated by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching at the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) headquarters on Saturday (Oct 10).
FFM35, themed ‘Spektrum Sinema’ (Spectrum of Cinema), is organised by Finas with the support of the Communications Ministry and received 73 entries, comprising 39 feature films, 17 documentaries and 17 short films.
The Best Film winner will receive RM1mil in Creative Content Fund support from the Communications Ministry, continuing the initiative announced during FFM34.
Winners in all categories will receive RM5,000 and a trophy, while recipients of the Special Award for Filmmakers and the Lifetime Achievement Award will receive RM10,000 and a trophy.
To honour the contributions of veteran figures in the national film industry, Finas is also organising the "Tribute: Honouring the Nation’s Veteran Film Icons" programme at the FINAS Sound Stage Studio in Hulu Kelang.
Screenings of Tuan Badul on Nov 4 will honour A.R. Badul and Norlia Ghani, while Bayangan Maut, to be screened on Nov 5, will pay tribute to Datuk Yusof Haslam and Noorkumalasari.
The competing films are also scheduled to be screened at GSC Mid Valley from Nov 16 to 20.
The FFM35 Awards Night will be held at Istana Budaya on Nov 21 at 8.30pm, with Datuk Afdlin Shauki returning as the main host alongside Amelia Henderson. The ceremony will be broadcast live on TV2 RTM and the Finas YouTube channel. – Bernama
