BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Biulletin/ANN): WUJUD, a documentary directed by Syafi Halim, has garnered significant acclaim at the South East Academy International Film Festival (SEAiff), according to a press release.
The film secured awards for Best Documentary, Best Cinematography, Best Director, and Best Producer for the May monthly awards. This marks New Wave Films’ first international film award, showcasing the rapid progress and growing recognition of Brunei’s burgeoning film industry.
Local award-winning filmmaker Syafi Halim announced the forthcoming release of WUJUD, a collaborative effort with Dr Rui Oliveira Lopes from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). The documentary delves into Brunei’s history and personal stories, offering an authentic portrayal of the nation’s cultural and historical fabric.
Reflecting on his success, Syafi said, “Alhamdulillah, winning our first international film award feels great. Recognition through awards is always good, but the main aim is to change and help the local film industry to grow. This accomplishment is just a baby step towards that goal.”
The WUJUD team has ambitious plans, including attending a red carpet event in Manila for the Grand Winner prize at the end of July. The documentary has also been submitted to other prestigious film festivals, such as the Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival, International Film Festival of India, and Porto/Post/Doc. Any award money received will be reinvested into New Wave Films to fund more creative projects and support their non-profit initiatives, including the New Wave Actor’s Community.
Originally conceived by Dr Rui Oliveira Lopes, WUJUD evolved from a project on “Architectural Heritage” to a deeply personal documentary.
An emotional interview about a woman’s loss and her strengthened connection to Allah the Almighty inspired this shift. Dr Lopes, now back in Portugal, intended WUJUD as a “farewell letter” to Brunei, where he lived for eight years.
The documentary’s production spanned over two years, beginning in February 2022. One major challenge was condensing over 20 hours of interviews into a 90-minute film. “Despite being a small country, we have hundreds of years of history, seven different tribes, and four districts. There were moments where I felt like making the film wasn’t worth it, but the thought came to me, ‘If I don’t make this film, who will?'” Syafi said.
The premiere of WUJUD received an overwhelmingly positive response. “It was better than expected. I’m proud of it and I hope everyone involved feels the same,” Syafi remarked.
Looking ahead, New Wave Films aims to innovate the local film industry and create an economically sustainable film ecosystem in Brunei. Syafi expressed hopes of being selected for major film festivals like Cannes or Sundance in the future.
Syafi encourages aspiring filmmakers to gain experience and create content. “Create something and upload it. Consistency and hard work are key, and also be nice. Kindness goes a long way,” he advised.
WUJUD is currently undergoing censorship and marketing processes, with an expected release in local cinemas from late July to early August. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
