AS artificial intelligence (AI)-generated misinformation grows, authentic storytelling has never been more important, says Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
Urging young filmmakers to approach technology and their craft with responsibility and integrity, he called on students to look beyond the surface and use their platforms to highlight stories that might otherwise remain unheard.
“Verify before you publish. Give a voice to those who are rarely heard and use technology, including AI, responsibly,” he said through a video message at the launch of the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) Faculty of Communication and Creative Industries (FCCI) Film Festival 2026 on Aug 11.
Themed “The Unspoken: Where Silence Tells the Loudest Stories”, the festival, held at the varsity’s Kuala Lumpur campus from Aug 11 to 12, featured student-produced short films and documentaries that give a voice to the voiceless.
Fahmi said the theme was particularly relevant in an era where people are surrounded by unprecedented amounts of information and noise, amid increasingly sophisticated deepfakes, scams, fake accounts and AI-generated misinformation.
“Your films remind us that real stories about families, communities, culture and experiences that often go unheard can restore trust and bring us closer to one another,” he said.
Meanwhile, TAR UMT president Prof Datuk Dr Lee Sze Wei said the festival, now in its fifth year, had grown from a local academic initiative into a platform showcasing student talent from Malaysia and partner universities in the region.
This, he said, provided students with opportunities to build international networks, collaborations and industry relationships.
He added that the festival reflected the university’s “Beyond Education” philosophy, where learning goes beyond the classroom and is tested against real-world experiences.
“Students can be taught the mechanics of three-act structures, the grammar of camera lenses and the discipline of the edit suite.
“But only when their work is screened before a real audience, judged by industry practitioners and discussed alongside international peers does the learning become complete,” he said.
Prof Lee added that this year’s theme challenged students to go beyond technical competence by observing the issues around them and having the courage to give them form and voice.
He said universities should cultivate not only skills and capabilities but also sensitivity and conscience.
“A graduate who can operate a camera is useful. A graduate who knows what is worth pointing the camera at and why is invaluable,” he said.
The film festival is an annual celebration of student filmmaking and creative storytelling, aimed at giving young filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work, gain feedback from industry professionals and connect with peers from across the region.
