We present the list of winners of the Freedom Film fest 2016 that was held from August 20th – 28th in Petaling Jaya (Malaysia).

Best International Feature

A Syrian Love Story by Sean McAllister – UK | 2015 – 75 min.

15 years ago Amer and Ragda fell in love, got married and started a family after their release from being imprisoned for their political beliefs. While they watch the fall of their country’s regime, their personal relationship also suffered. The film powerfully points out why people are literally dying for change in the Arab world.

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Special Mention for Best International Feature

Among the Believers by Hemal Trivedi & Mohammed Ali Naqvi
US, Pakistan | 2015 – 84 min.

Firebrand cleric Abdul Aziz Ghazi an ISIS supporter and Taliban ally is waging ‘jihad’ against the Pakistani government with the aim of imposing ‘Syariah’ law. His primary weapon is his expanding network of Islamic seminaries or ‘Madrasah’ for children as young as four years of age. The documentary ‘Among the Believers’ follows Aziz’s personal quest and charts the lives of two of his teenage students who are pawns in his ideological war.

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Best Southeast Asia (Long)

Emak Dari Jambi (Mommy from Jambi) by Anggun Pradesha & Ricky M Fajar
Indonesia | 2015 – 38 min.

A mother’s journey from a small village in Jambi Sumatra to the capital city of Jakarta, Indonesia where she is confronted by revelations of her transgender child’s life. She is caught between her Islamic values and unconditional love for her child. It is a heartwarming story about love, truth, and acceptance.

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Best Southeast Asia (Short)

Unsilent Potato by Sein Lyan Tun – Myanmar | 2016 – 22 min.

Potato’ is a young disabled Karen ethnic girl. In 2014, she was raped by her neighbor, a married man and later gave birth to a baby boy. She was determined to seek justice instead of accepting monetary compensation from the man who had raped her. The case was deferred until 2016 when the family finally decided to let the world know of Potato’s devastating story to raise awareness about the rights of women and the disabled. Potato describes her deep sorrow, despair and frustration through her sketches.

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Special mention for Best Southeast Asia (Short)

Stories from my father by Ashleigh Lim – Malaysia | 2016 – 25 min.

A daughter tries to make connections between her seemingly ordinary life and her father’s past as he shares with her about his experience of being detained without trial from 1968 to 1974, under the Internal Security Act for his involvement in the Labour Party which was subsequently outlawed because of its pro-communist leanings. The film also offers us a glimpse of his experience after detention, his continued friendship with other ex-detainees as well as life with his family.

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Malaysian Film Grant Winners

Stories from my father by Ashleigh Lim – Malaysia | 2016 – 25 min.

Unlocking Bengoh by Nova Goh – Malaysia | 2016 – 25 min.

Simo Sekam, Peluk Apeh and Sagen Adan’s families had lived in Sarawak’s Bengoh valley for generations until recently, when they were forced to leave their ancestral home to make way for the Bengoh reservoir dam. This story follows the director’s journey as he discovers the true cost of relocation that these families have to endure in the name of development.

Trailer (Will open in a new window)

To know more about the festival you can see the FESTIVAL PROFILE or go to the official website to know all the screening times and dates HERE.