Director Jin Ong's film 'Abang Adik' charts another international achievement. Photo: Bernama
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today congratulated the crew of the film Abang Adik for winning Best Film at the 10th Asian World Film Festival held in Los Angeles today (Nov 22).
He said the achievement is a source of pride for the nation and demonstrates the capabilities of the local film industry in bringing international recognition to Malaysia.
"Good news – Abang Adik, which we submitted as Malaysia’s entry to the Oscars, has won the Best Film prize. The film beat 15 other films from across Asia to claim the Snow Leopard Trophy,” he told a press conference in Putrajaya.
Previously, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) announced that director Jin Ong's debut film had won 19 international awards.
Abang Adik was named Best Film at the New York Asian Film Festival (22nd Uncaged Competition) and won the Golden Mulberry, Black Dragon Critics' Award, and White Mulberry Award for Best Feature Film at the 25th Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy.
It also received recognition at Switzerland's 37th Fribourg International Film Festival and the First Film Festival in China.
The film also achieved remarkable success in China, with box office earnings reaching RM2.2mil as of Sept 30, after its release on Sept 21. It earned RM14.6mil in Taiwan and RM1.55mil in Hong Kong, making it the highest-grossing Malaysian film to date. – Bernama
