MIFFest 2026: ASEAN Records Honors Film Fest

The ninth Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) officially opened on July 18, commencing an eight-day celebration of global cinema. This year's festival is themed 'Resonance,' focusing on the lasting impact of stories and the connections they foster across cultures and generations. MIFFest received significant recognition from ASEAN Records during its opening ceremony, acknowledging its ASEAN On Screen platform and Malaysia Golden Global Awards program as key hubs for Southeast Asian cinema.

The opening ceremony, held at MyTown Shopping Centre, was attended by filmmakers, industry leaders, and government officials, including representatives from Tourism Malaysia and the Ministry of Communications. Festival founder Joanne Goh highlighted the theme of 'Resonance' and the vision behind ASEAN On Screen, which launched in 2025. The event also celebrated the festival's ambassadors: Bront Palarae, Daiyan Trisha, and Jack Tan.

Following the ceremonies, attendees were treated to the world premiere of the opening film, "Baga: Tomorrow Belongs To No One." Directed by Ariff Zulkarnain, the film depicts a story of young love challenged by societal pressures on Malaysia's East Coast. The festival program features diverse cinematic offerings, including Russian Film Week, Hong Kong Cinema in Flux, and New Rhythms of Indian Cinema, running until July 25.