THE red carpet rolled out in Kuala Lumpur for the highly anticipated premiere of I am Your Little Star.
Dedicated to promoting filial piety and raising critical awareness about youth mental health, the heartwarming independent short film left the full house at TGV Cinemas, Sunway Velocity Mall, deeply moved.
Jointly produced by Pertubuhan Nilai-Nilai Murni untuk Keamanan Sejagat (PNM Malaysia), Filial Piety Cultural Foundation and M Talent Resources, the public-service film arrived with major credentials, having already clinched the Best Micro Film Award at Asia International Film Festival 2025.
Directed by Denil Choong of Dream Film and penned by screenwriter Xander Lew, the movie uses a touch of fantasy to tackle heavy real-world issues.
The story has the character played by child actor Tan Jacqueline going on a mysterious journey back in time following an accident at a youth camp.
By witnessing her mother’s past, the youngster heals emotional wounds and family trauma.
Her transformation even inspires a troubled peer, whimsically dubbed the “Little Devil”.
Through imaginative storytelling, the film cleverly visualises the internal battle between kindness and negativity that modern youth face.
The premiere was opened by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok on behalf of Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying.
In the keynote address, Kok praised the film’s grassroots creative team for tackling urgent social issues rather than chasing commercial gain.
“Unlike commercial blockbusters, I am Your Little Star centres entirely on the timeless value of filial piety,” Kok said, highlighting that raising children had become incredibly complex in a digital era saturated with social media.
“Because it is a non-profit production, it serves as a powerful educational tool that deserves to be screened widely in schools and youth camps across Malaysia.”
Film advisor Nick Ng paid tribute to executive producer Jesdin Kong, calling her the driving force who brought the screenplay to life despite limited resources.
Ng emphasised that true filial piety was about fostering deep parent-child communication through empathy.
The production relies heavily on the raw talent of eight local young performers aged 10 to 18 – Jamon Yap Chun Qi, Jacqueline, Kimerly Low, Chan Xin Yu, Chu Mei Zhen and Teoh Yu Hann, with special appearances by Cadi Eng Ji Cin and Jade Loh Jia Yu.
Six of them made their cinematic debut.
These young stars not only acted for charity but also lent their voices to the film’s emotional theme song composed by Pok Chee Hong.
The premiere wasn’t just a screening; it was an active community intervention.
A charitable fundraising initiative was launched during the event, with all proceeds heading to non-profit elderly care homes and orphanages.
The emotional peak of the night occurred during a spontaneous “Hug Session” where parents and children in the audience shared tight, tearful embraces right in their seats.
The organisers are currently planning nationwide school screenings and parent-child communication workshops.
Even better news for aspiring young talent: preparations for the next non-profit filial piety film project have officially begun, with auditions being carried out by M Talent Resources.
