Anak Omputeh Shines: Young MMU Filmmaker Makes BMW Shorties History with

The 19th edition of the BMW Shorties has marked a historic moment for Malaysia’s creative industry, as Anak Omputeh—a heartfelt coming-of-age short film by 20-year-old filmmaker Darwish Syahmi from Multimedia University (MMU) Cyberjaya—was crowned this year’s Grand Prize Winner. In an unprecedented achievement, Darwish also secured the Best Student Shorties Award, making him the first contestant in the programme’s nearly two-decade legacy to win both major honours in the same year.

Sashi Ambihaipahan, Director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at BMW Group Malaysia, highlighted the significance of this year’s milestone. “For 19 years, the BMW Shorties has stood as our longest-running Arts & Culture initiative, dedicated to discovering and elevating Malaysia’s creative voices. This year’s results prove once again that the next generation of storytellers is brimming with remarkable talent,” she said, emphasising the brand’s commitment to nurturing innovation across initiatives like ENVision.Next, the BMW Technical Trainee Programme, and the BMW Product Genius Programme.

Darwish’s winning film, Anak Omputeh, is inspired by memories from his own childhood. The film follows Lan, a young Malay boy who returns to his father’s kampung after spending five years overseas. As he struggles to adapt to local customs and reconnect with his roots, Lan embarks on a series of humorous yet touching encounters with village kids who eventually welcome him as part of their community. The film sheds light on the experience of Third Culture Kids, highlighting themes of cultural reintegration, identity, and acceptance.

Not only did Anak Omputeh impress industry judges—it also resonated deeply with the public, earning the People’s Choice Award after weeks of voting.

Despite his age, Darwish already brings an impressive portfolio of work. A student of MMU’s Faculty of Cinematic Arts, he has built a reputation for blending comedic irony with emotional depth. His past projects include:

Kapak (2023): Nominated at the 20th Mini Film Festival, Sarawak
FORYOU32GODSAVEOURCHILDREN (2023): Nominated at Taylor’s University Film Festival 2024
Kintsugi (2024): 1st Runner-Up at Echo Film Fest: The Sequel

With the BMW Shorties production grant of RM50,000 and a brand-new OPPO Find X9 Pro, Darwish is now set to bring his next creative project to life—another step toward his dream of becoming a feature film director in Malaysian cinema.

Reflecting on his win, he shared: “Anak Omputeh came from a very personal place. I wanted to show that even when language fails, kindness doesn’t. Winning both awards has given me the confidence to keep telling stories that feel authentic to the Malaysian experience.”

This year’s panel of judges featured some of Malaysia’s most respected creatives, including filmmaker Zan Azlee, actress and writer Fatimah Abu Bakar, award-winning director Nadiah Hamzah, celebrated filmmaker Saw Teong Hin, and Tamil cinema pioneer Dr. Vimala Perumal.

Nadiah Hamzah praised the film’s nuanced storytelling: “The story handles the complexities of cultural identity with sensitivity and warmth… Darwish shows a maturity far beyond his years.”

Saw Teong Hin echoed this sentiment: “Its sincerity is what makes Anak Omputeh special. It proves that great storytelling simply needs honesty and passion.”

Aligned with the BMW Shorties 2025 theme, “New Dimensions,” Anak Omputeh stood out for its fresh perspective and genuine emotional resonance. Its success exemplifies the programme’s mission to inspire creators to push boundaries and explore bold storytelling approaches.

Darwish’s historic dual-win also reinforces the strength of Malaysia’s academic film community, highlighting the emerging talent rising from institutions like MMU and the broader creative ecosystem.