9th MIFFest Opening Ceremony
The 9th Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) kicked off its eight-day celebration of global cinema at MyTOWN Shopping Centre. Built around this year’s theme, “Resonance,” the festival’s opening ceremony brought together celebrated filmmakers, industry leaders, and film enthusiasts from around the world.
The evening started with a glamourous red carpet. Leading the delegation for the Opening Film was executive producer Shafiq Yusof, director Ariff Zulkarnain, actor Syafiq Kyle, and Cambodian star Sarita Reth. Acclaimed local talent; including Jojo Goh, Nam Ron, and June Lojong, also joined international guests to mark the occasion.
MIFFest Founder and President Joanne Goh officially welcomed the crowd alongside festival ambassadors Bront Palarae, Daiyan Trisha, and Jack Tan.
“Resonance is the lasting echo of a story,” Goh shared during her opening speech. “It is the emotion that remains long after the credits roll, the conversations that continue beyond the cinema, and the connections that film creates across cultures, generations, and borders.”
The event was graced by notable industry leaders, including Datuk Manoharan Periasamy (Chairman of Tourism Malaysia), Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil (Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Communications), and Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib (CEO of FINAS).
A major highlight of the night was the official presentation of the ASEAN Records title to MIFFest. The honor recognizes the festival’s pioneering role in creating a permanent regional platform for Southeast Asian cinema through its ASEAN On Screen initiative alongside the annual Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA).
First launched during Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, ASEAN On Screen has evolved into an annual cornerstone, reinforcing Malaysia’s standing as a hub for regional storytelling through curated screenings, forums, and cross-border collaborations.
Following the ceremony, guests moved to GSC MyTOWN for the World Premiere of the Opening Film, BAGA: Tomorrow Belongs To No One.
Directed by Ariff Zulkarnain and inspired by his own upbringing on Malaysia’s East Coast, BAGA follows young lovers Jani and Melur as poverty, addiction, and an unexpected pregnancy test their dreams. As Jani is drawn into the drug trade out of desperation, the couple must navigate hard choices to survive. The film captures the raw human resilience at the heart of this year’s “Resonance” theme.
Running from 18 to 25 July 2026, MIFFest features an expansive international lineup:
- Russian Film Week: Free screenings of four acclaimed films in partnership with ROSKINO, Mosfilm, and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.
- Special Showcases: Programs such as Hong Kong Cinema in Flux, New Rhythms of Indian Cinema, ASEAN On Screen, and Open Air Cinema.
- Industry Events: Masterclasses, forums, and international showcases designed for both trade professionals and movie buffs.
Tickets are available for RM15 per screening via the GSC website, app, or kiosks at GSC MyTOWN (plus 15% off concessions).
For full schedules, program details, and updates, visit miffest.com.my or follow MIFFest on social media.
