UBD Student Short Film “Apathy” Wins Best Poetic Film at ASEAN UniFest SDG Competition 2025
The short film *Apathy*, created by Syahirah Suhairi, a student from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), has been awarded the Best Poetic Film Award at the ASEAN UniFest 2025 short film competition. This recognition highlights the film’s exploration of themes related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Award Ceremony Details
The winners were announced during an award ceremony held on November 12, 2025, in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, in conjunction with the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA).
About the Competition
The ASEAN UniFest SDG Short Film Competition was officially launched on October 6, 2025, in Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of the AIFFA 2025 initiative. Among the eight award recipients, *Apathy* stood out as the only film from Brunei, selected from over 150 entries submitted by universities across the ASEAN region, according to Andrew Trigg, Chairman of ASEAN UniFest. The recognized films were also shared on the official Instagram account of the AIFFA.
Film Significance
The Best Poetic Film Award is granted to films that effectively convey an SDG issue and promote the need for change in a creative, visual, or poetic way. The competition encourages student filmmakers to address SDG themes such as gender equality, environmental sustainability, and human rights, aligning with ASEAN’s mission to foster unity and community engagement.
Film Production and Screenings
*Apathy* was developed as part of the AX-3307 Transmedia Production module within UBD’s Design and Creative Industries program. The film premiered at the 7th PRISM UBD Short Film Festival in November 2024 and was subsequently screened at the Bali International Short Film Festival Minikino Film Week (MFW 11) in September 2025. It is scheduled to be featured in the S-Express Brunei program on November 24, 2025, during the 8th PRISM UBD Short Film Festival at the UBD Pro Chancellor Arts Centre.
(Source: UBD News)
