54TH ASIA PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED

 THE LATE YASMIN AHMAD WON BEST DIRECTOR

BEST DIRECTOR

YASMIN AHMAD (1958-2008)

Country : Malaysia
Won For Film : Muallaf (2009)
Synopsis : Yasmin Ahmad (July 1, 1958 – July 25, 2009) was a critically-acclaimed multi-award winning film director, writer and scriptwriter from Malaysia and was also the executive creative director at Leo Burnett Kuala Lumpur. Her television commercials and films are well-known in Malaysia for their humour, heart and love that crosses cross-cultural barriers, in particular her ads for Petronas, the national oil and gas company. Her works have won multiple awards both within Malaysia and internationally.
Films

* Rabun (My Failing Eyesight) (2003)
* Sepet (Chinese Eye) (2004)
* Gubra (Anxiety) (2006)
* Mukhsin (2007)
* Muallaf (The Convert) (2008)
* Talentime (2009)

The late Yasmin Ahmad won best director via her last film "Mualaf" at 54th Asia Pacific Film Festival (APFF) in Taipei on Saturday night.

Malaysian Film Producers Association president Ahmad Puad Onah who led the country's delegation said that it was the first such award won by Malaysia.

"This is a historic occcasion for Malaysia," he told Bernama after the festival ended at Dr Sun Yet-Sen Memorial Hall.

Ahmad Puad who received the award said he was proud with Yasmin's achievement as it not only brought glory to Malaysia but he was also close to her.

"I am sure that the late Yasmin will be very proud with this award," he added.

"Mualaf" which starred newcomer Sharifah Amani is about three individuals searching for spiritual peace via religion.

Yasmin died from brain haemorrhage in Damansara Specialist Hospital, Petaling Jaya on July 26 last year at age 51.

The award won by Yasmin was the only won by Malaysia at the film festival.

Four other films entered were Magika, Lagenda Budak Setan, Pisau Cukur and Cinta Ais Kacang.

Malaysia's past winners were the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee for best actor in (Anakku Sazali - 1957), Maya Karin for best actress (2004) and Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina), also for best actress (2005).

Source: Bernama