Can Animation Be In The Running For Best Film

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The talk is rife on the films that have been nominated for this year’s Festival Filem Malaysia (FFM).
A lot of criticism has been dished out on how these films were nominated and why there are significant films this year that were left out.
What is an industry without its politics and gossip, right? But I have to admit it doesn’t bother me much, except…
Cue “Ejen Ali”. Not just the franchise but specifically Ejen Ali: The Movie 2”, which was a massive hit.
ADSA mix of action, storytelling, and representation so casually Malaysian that we almost forget how progressive it actually is.
And how did FFM respond? By nominating it for three categories? Best Original Music Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound Mixing. That’s great and all, but it’s basically saying, “Hey! Nice colours you used there.”
Meanwhile, the main awards party carries on like animation is that distant cousin you only invite because your mother insists you have to include everyone.
This is painful because “Ejen Ali”, as a phenomenon, does not just “deserve to attend the party”. It deserves to own the dance floor. Albeit, this is my own personal opinion (and it’s not because the creator Usamah Zaid is a friend of mine and my basketball teammate!).
Representation matters
Let’s talk about why I think “Ejen Ali” is just so great. For one, representation. One of the main characters, Ejen Alicia, is a Chinese girl, adopted by Indian Muslim men who run a restaurant.
The show doesn’t treat it like some “Very Special Episode” with violin music and moral-of-the-day speeches. It’s just her life and her reality.
It is not token diversity but organic diversity. The kind where kids don’t learn stereotypes. Alicia is just as brave as Ali. She kicks open the same doors, solves the same problems, and saves the same world.
The film never presents her as the girl hero. She’s just a hero. In fact, even Ali depends on her to get the job done. No patriarchy speed bumps.
And if someone asked me what unity looks like, I would point them not to a political manifesto but to a 12-year-old multicultural spy squad in the fictional city of Cyberaya.
Ejen Ali is one of the few Malaysian productions where kids of all backgrounds look at the screen and see themselves reflected as the main character.
Every time I take my children to see these films, I see the impact. The cinema is filled with Malaysians of every race.
ADSKids laugh together, clap together, and then come out of the hall chanting “Satria Bangkit!” while plotting their own backyard espionage.
When we get home, my kids try to hack their sunglasses to activate their Infinity Retinal Intelligence System (Iris) mode - a device that helps agents take on their enemies.
A truly M’sian experience
The point is that our children are watching films that actively normalise a Malaysia where everyone belongs equally.
In a real world becoming more divided and polarised by the day, that is no small contribution. Perhaps, FFM should reward films that actually shape young minds toward unity rather than just the ones that look fancy.
I do, however, realise that the Malaysian animation industry is still small. There aren’t 20 animated features coming out every year. There are only a handful of major players.
So yes, it makes sense that we don’t have a standalone Best Animated Feature category yet, which is exactly why animated films should be allowed to compete at the top.
You know how much effort it takes to direct animation? In animation, if a character cries, 10 artists have to discuss and work on it.
Ask any animator and they’ll show you that animation isn’t easy. It’s way harder than live-action films. And today, Malaysian animation isn’t just good for Malaysia, it’s just very good.
Fans have spoken
That deserves applause and not just a participation certificate. Imagine being a filmmaker pouring every drop of your soul into a project that makes the entire country proud, only to be told your passion is a technical category.
It is pretty insulting and disrespectful. However, kids and their parents love it. The market is speaking loudly, and the cultural influence is obvious.
Animation, and especially a franchise like “Ejen Ali”, gives young Malaysians a hopeful version of this country. A multicultural spy organisation where your background is your strength.
A society where people are valued for their abilities. A world where you take care of each other because that’s what Malaysians do.
So instead of lecturing people on unity with slogans and patriotic songs, we could learn unity from what they’re already watching.
Come on, FFM. Open your eyes a little wider. We have good stuff in our midst, and it’s time to acknowledge that. - Mkini
ZAN AZLEE is a writer, documentary filmmaker, journalist and academic. Visit fatbidin.com to view his work.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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