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Malaysian screenwriters triumph at Moondance

Singaporean artiste Regina Song releases new single Fairy SINGAPORE pop princess Regina Song released her single Fairy following her Southeast Asia tour earlier this year. Fairy is the first single to be included in Song’s upcoming sophomore album, which will be hitting shelves later this year. Described as a spiritual successor to her popular song The Cutest Pair , Fairy was inspired by Song’s first heartbreak. “During that period, I had to watch my first love move on and see someone new, turning into someone I could not recognise. The concoction of frustration, disappointment and anger, ultimately transforming into concern, drove me to write this song in one night. “I hope that Fairy can offer solace to my listeners who are experiencing similar turmoil while processing their emotions at the same time. Hopefully, they will also be screaming along to this song with me at my next live show,” said Song. Fans can expect more tracks such as Fairy in the upcoming record as Song noted she has moved on from her debut album. “In my debut album Fangirl , I wrote a lot about falling in love from afar. My sophomore album will be centred around being in love, where the ‘fangirl’ in me enters a relationship for the first time, experiencing doubt and heartbreak. “Through these new songs, I definitely want to show a more mature and introspective side of myself, taking power back from being a hopeless romantic,” noted the 21-year-old. Song rose to fame upon releasing her single The Cutest Pair , receiving over 36 million streams since its release last June. She has over 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify. She was also selected as Spotify’s 2024 Radar artiste and has since toured around Southeast Asia. She is expected to be a part of Wanderland Festival this month, the largest music festival in the Philippines, as well as Indonesia’s LaLaLa Fest.

I N a significant win for Malaysian cinema, screenwriters Amina Jindani and Gavin Yap clinched the coveted Feature Screenplay award at the prestigious Moondance International Film Festival for their work Derek Kong, Private Detective: The Crimson Lipstick Bytes . This victory is particularly noteworthy as Amina and Yap bested two American screenplays in the category, making Malaysia the sole Asian nation represented among all winners and categories at the 2024 festival. Derek Kong, Private Detective: The Crimson Lipstick Bytes follows the eccentric private detective Derek Kong as he navigates a seemingly straightforward extramarital affair case. The investigation soon spirals into a surreal exploration of love, fantasy, betrayal and ultimately, redemption, forcing o Amina Jindani, Gavin Yap’s Derek Kong, Private Detective wins Feature Screenplay award ULTRAMAN The Ultra Tour kicked off at Sunway Pyramid last Thursday, gathering 270 Ultraman fans in a record-breaking Asean achievement. The event, a collaboration between Tsuburaya Fields Entertainment International Pte Ltd, One Universal Production Sdn Bhd (OUP) and Sunway Malls, brought together generations of fans to celebrate the iconic Ultra Heroes with a thrilling line-up of activities and immersive experiences. National Film Development Corporation Malaysia chairman Datuk Kamil Othman said: “The significance of this collaboration extends to the global promotion of intellectual properties. As we celebrate Ultraman’s legacy here in Malaysia, we are reminded of the importance of fostering international collaborations to enhance the reach and impact of creative content. “Intellectual properties such as Ultraman have shaped global pop culture, and this event showcases how Malaysia can be a thriving destination for such partnerships.” One highlight of the ceremony was when OUP was presented with a plaque by Asean Records after getting together 270 fans in Ultraman-inspired attire – the largest gathering of its kind in Malaysia. A special appearance was made by Yuki Totsuka, the Japanese actor portraying Yuma Hize / Ultraman Arc, who engaged with fans in an exclusive meet-and-greet session. OUP CEO Alvin Lee said: “Ultraman has been a part of so many childhoods, and it is amazing to see how the love for this iconic hero continues to grow. Bringing Ultraman The Ultra Tour to Malaysia is truly special for us. “This collaboration with Tsuburaya Fields Entertainment International and Sunway Malls is not just about an event – it is about creating unforgettable memories for fans of all ages while strengthening the cultural bond between Malaysia

Kong to confront his own perceptions of these fundamental human experiences. This win at Moondance adds to the screenplay’s growing list of accolades. It also picked up the Silver Award Feature Script at the London Movie Awards and earned Amina and Yap the Best International Screenwriter title at the Wild Filmmaker’s Edition of the New York Film Festival Best Indie Selection 2024. The Moondance International Film Festival, renowned as the “film festival without borders”, showcases the best independent films from the US and across the globe. The festival’s influence extends far beyond the event itself, with top film studios, producers and agents in Los Angeles, New York and elsewhere actively seeking out Moondance winners’ and finalists’ screenplays, films and music. With representation from over 50 countries in entries, participants and attendees, Moondance provides a powerful platform for filmmakers and screenwriters to gain recognition and connect with industry professionals. This victory for Amina and Yap underscores the burgeoning talent within the Malaysian film industry and marks a

The screenplay beat two American scripts.

significant milestone in their careers. Their win at Moondance shines a spotlight on the potential of Malaysian storytelling on a global stage. Ultraman goes on Malaysian tour, breaks record

Ultraman Arc with his human host Yuma Hize, played by Yuki Totsuka.

vast retail and entertainment ecosystem. Fans can also look forward to exclusive Ultraman-themed merchandise, ranging from apparel and toys to collectibles and limited-edition items, available at Sunway Malls. In addition to retail offerings, the partnership will deliver immersive experiences through meet-and-greet sessions and a variety of themed activities. There is also potential for retail and licensing collaborations, involving retail brands and third-party licensees to strengthen Ultraman’s footprint in Malaysia. Ultraman The Ultra Tour promises a thrilling adventure for fans across Malaysia, blending nostalgia, entertainment and community spirit in a celebration of one of Japan’s most beloved pop culture icons.

and Japan.” The Ultra Tour will make its way across seven Sunway malls, featuring Ultra Heroes meet-and-greet sessions, an Ultraman themed Inflatable Playland, fun activities such as the Gigabash Game Demo and a wide variety of Ultraman merchandise. After Sunway Pyramid, the tour will make stops at Sunway Putra Mall (Kuala Lumpur), Sunway Carnival Mall (Seberang Jaya, Penang), Sunway 163 Mall (KL), Sunway Velocity Mall (KL), Sunway Big Box Retail Park (Iskandar Puteri, Johor) and Sunway Kluang Mall (Kluang, Johor). This collaboration extends beyond event activations, encompassing initiatives that enhance Ultraman’s presence in Malaysia. Marketing and branding efforts will see joint promotional campaigns across digital and offline platforms as well as Sunway’s

Song has over 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify.