M’sian Sci-Fi Film ‘Imaginur’ To Compete In New York Asian Film Festival 2022

Imaginur will compete against seven other films in the same category.

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Award-winning Malaysian filmmaker Nik Amir Mustapha’s latest work, Imaginur, is one of eight Asian films selected to compete for the Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film at the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) 2022 in the US next month.

NYAFF is an annual event showcasing the best and boldest in Asian cinema ranging from explosive blockbusters to eccentric arthouse films.

Imaginur will compete against seven other films in the same category namely, #LookAtMe (Singapore), Angry Son (Japan), One And Four (China), Perhaps Love (South Korea), Reclaim (Taiwan), The Sales Girl (Mongolia) and Fast & Feel Love (Thailand).

The science fiction film, Imaginur, which has yet to be screened in Malaysia, stars Beto Kusyairy and Diana Danielle.

The story is about a man’s life that’s disrupted by strange events when he takes his father to the hospital for a check-up.

We couldn’t be more proud and happy that #blackmagicdesign Ursa Broadcast G2 was used to shoot #Imaginur. Rooting for everyone who made this movie happen. Congratulations!!! 💚 🎊 https://t.co/Df2sEtCymu pic.twitter.com/JGH5skBCtz
— 3dots | Film Gear Distributor | Service (@3dotsmy) July 8, 2022

New Straits Times reported that the film is set to make its world premiere at the Walter Reade Theater, Film at Lincoln Center in New York on 23 July.

Nik Amir said he didn’t expect the film produced by his company Lumatic Films to make it into the NYAFF 2022 list, let alone compete for Best Feature Film.

I realise that there’s going to be pretty stiff competition to win. However, just being listed together with other great films is already enough to make us really happy. If Imaginur is chosen as the winner, then we’d certainly feel even more blessed. Whatever the case, we are hoping for the best since we are the sole representative from Malaysia to NYAFF 2022.
Filmmaker Nik Amir

The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) congratulated Nik Amir for the success of Imaginur for being selected to compete at the event.

#LensaFINAS #Spotlight

FINAS ingin merakamkan ucapan tahniah kepada filem cereka tempatan, ‘Imaginur’ arahan Pengarah Terbaik FFM26, Nik Amir Mustapha yang terpilih mewakili Malaysia dan telah diumumkan menembusi seleksi pencalonan Filem Cereka Terbaik (Uncaged Award for pic.twitter.com/4PisvYByv2
— Finas Malaysia®™ (@FinasMy) July 3, 2022

According to Berita Harian, Nik Amir has not set a date to show the film in Malaysian cinemas because they have yet to do the film promotions locally.

They’re still looking for the right time to release the film to the Malaysian audience.

The team might not be able to attend NYAFF 2022

Despite the good news, Nik Amir and his team might not be able to attend the festival due to the lack of budget.

They’re in the midst of raising funds to travel to the US to attend NYAFF 2022. Even if they do get the funds, they still need to apply for visas and they’re unsure if they can get the visas done in time.

Bismillah..
Dengan rasa kesyukuran ingin aku kongsi berita gembira perihal filem #imagiNur terbitan @lumaticfilms kerana terpilih & mendapat tayangan perdana di New York Asian Film Festival #nyaff yang akan berlangsung tak lama lagi..alhamdulillah 🤲♥️ pic.twitter.com/SUEOrR070L
— Betosai 🇲🇾 (@Beto_Kusyairy) July 5, 2022

Recently, lots of Malaysian talents have been recognized for their outstanding work.

Another Malaysian film ‘Stone Turtle’ was selected to compete at the 75^th Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland, and ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ screenwriter Adele Lim was invited to become a member of the Oscars Academy.

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