The creative spotlight shone on the Starlight Institute of Screen and Stage Media, which was officially launched with an open house event at the Starlight Arena @ Plaza 51 and its first project, the movie 'Bola dan Impian'.
This launch marks a significant milestone for Malaysia’s next generation of filmmakers, performers, and storytellers — introducing a new creative education hub designed to bridge industry training with real-world production experience.
Guests, aspiring talents, and media partners got an exclusive look into the institute’s training facilities, curriculum pathways, and upcoming mentorship programmes under the Performing for Camera Academy and Screen and Stage Creative Department.
The highlight of the day was the announcement of the upcoming Malaysian feature film “Bola dan Impian”, a story that follows the inspiring journey of an underdog all-girl Under-18 football team, rising from a small town to the national championship.
Blending high-energy sports drama and heartfelt storytelling, Bola dan Impian celebrates courage, teamwork, and the dreams of young Malaysians who defy the odds.
The film proudly introduces three new Under-18 rising stars, Seri Nur Adriana Elisa, 18, Lucinda Lew Xin Yee, 16, and Aarhthi Sivenesan, 16, who were discovered through the Project Starlight talent development program, and supported by a cast of experienced industry actors.
“We’re not just launching an academy — we’re building a bridge between education and professional film production,” said Aaron Lim, the CEO of Starlight Institute and producer of Bola dan Impian, in his opening address.
“This is where young talent gets to train, perform, and ultimately shine on screen,” he shared.
Among the VIP guests who graced the event were Andrew Teok, Chairman of Starlight, Kenny Piong, Managing Director of Starlight, and Joseph Tan, Group Managing Director of Chek Hup.
Thirty hopefuls were shortlisted from more than 100 submissions during the Project Starlight Audition 2025, which was held last September. From the final shortlist, only 3 were cut to be in lead roles in Bola dan Impian.
“'Bola dan Impian' is a partnership between Starlight Institute and main advertisers and long-time collaborators Chek Hup, in the hopes of promoting new and rising stars to the South-East Asian cinema landscape, in conjunction with FIFA 2026,” said Aaron.
Chek Hup was established in Ipoh, Malaysia, in the mid-1900s, founded by a coffee enthusiast who merged the local flavouring and culture with freshly roasted premium coffee beans.
As a symbolic gesture, a jersey signing ceremony was conducted by Aaron Lim and Joseph Tan to celebrate the collaboration between 'Bola dan Impian' and Chek Hup. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing was also conducted between Starlight Institute and its strategic education and industry partners:
'Bola dan Impian', which is produced by multiple award-winning filmmaker Aaron Lim, is written and directed by experienced commercial and drama director Rayson Ng.
With over 17 years in the film and media industry, Rayson has directed and produced more than 1,500 projects across commercials, documentaries, and dramas.
He has collaborated with leading brands such as Hong Leong Bank, Medico, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Rayson, with his own style of storytelling, visual innovation, and empowering young talents in the film and sports industry, is the founder of Seed Entertainment and Brain Your Brand.
He has developed large-scale campaigns such as KPDN ReDI Digital Payment Campaign, AFC “Beyond the Field” referee documentary series, and ALOF Foundation corporate video, and led creative teams from concept to execution, managing budgets, timelines, and stakeholder communication.
He is a specialist in sports-related productions, including international football tournaments and promotional films. Bola dan Impian will be his very first full-length feature film.
Aaron Lim, on the other hand, is a Malaysian film producer and writer, best known for his work on C144: Human x Nature (2022), a mystery thriller inspired by the discovery of a World War II aircraft crash site. The film received international acclaim, winning Best Writer (Alternative Film Festival, Canada) and Best Feature Film (Eastern European Film Festival).
Beyond filmmaking, Lim is dedicated to talent development, mentoring aspiring creatives, and launching initiatives to nurture the next generation of filmmakers and performers. A long-time filmmaking advocate and educator, Lim, is also the creator of the Starlight Institute of Screen and Stage Media.
The shooting for Bola dan Impian will take place from November to December 2025 and is expected to be released on the big screen in May 2025. It will be shot on location in Johor.
About Starlight Institute of Screen and Stage Media
The Starlight Institute is a creative education and production centre under the Starlight Screen & Stage Academy. Located at Starlight Arena, Plaza 51, it offers professional training in film acting, media performance, and production arts - connecting Malaysia’s emerging talent with global industry opportunities.
About Project Starlight
Project Starlight is a visionary performing arts and screen talent initiative by Starlight Institute of Screen & Stage — Malaysia’s emerging hub for creative training, performance, and entertainment production. The project aims to discover, develop, and showcase the next generation of screen and stage talents from Malaysia to the world.
Through collaborations with film producers, performance academies, and entertainment partners, Project Starlight provides structured mentorship, professional workshops, and real-world exposure opportunities — bridging aspiring artists to the international entertainment stage.
The 2025–26 edition featured the Starlight Trainee Audition, a nationwide search for young rising stars who will undergo six months of professional training in acting, dance, and media performance, leading up to feature film and live production opportunities.
