Creativity reaps rewards…again and again. Limkokwing Film and Television Academy (LFTA) proved recently that it paid to think outside the box. And it made a great difference in competitions.

The LFTA won the MSC Malaysia APICTA’s Best in Media & Entertainment Award for its production of the music video, Barricade, by Malaysian rock band, Love Me Butch, in the Media and Entertainment Category.

At the Bangkok International Film Festival, the academy captured another award for its movie, Kurus, which took the Special Jury’s Prize.

Barricade conveys the message that war is futile as the world needs to work for peace, solidarity and harmony. The music video is dedicated to the underprivileged and overlooked war victims.

The music video was produced as part of the university’s policy of supporting its alumni. Lead guitarist Wing Meng and bassist Kevin Kong of the group are Limkokwing graduates.

Watch the music video, Barricade

Critical reviews at festivals

Kurus is a heart-warming movie about a simple, small-town boy, Ali, who wants nothing else but to become a champion boxer. In the chronicle of his journey to become the champion, he discovers more than his childhood dreams. He learns about the true meaning of life.

The movie has already made its presence felt in several film festivals earlier this year. It was selected for screening and won critical reviews at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Taipei International Film Festival, Brisbane International Film Festival and Seoul International Film Festival.

The academy pooled the resources of university staff and students to produce the music video and film. The production team for both projects included students in all stages, from pre-production to post-production.

“The idea was to do something different,” said Aron Koh, the academy’s general manager. “Our cast included new faces and some of the students shared good ideas with us.”

The involvement of the students fell in line with the university’s practice of exposing them to industry. In the process, they underwent hands-on experience.

Watch the trailer, Kurus