KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 — The first-ever Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA) ceremony took place at Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands yesterday with Singing in Graveyards, a Malaysian-Filipino co-production, taking home the Best Picture award.
“It feels wonderful just being nominated. We really didn’t expect that we would win this award. To win something like this in Malaysia, where I was born — it’s really special,” said director and producer of Singing in Graveyards, Bradley Liew.
Hosted by Malaysia’s top comedian Harith Iskander and emcee and model Owen Yap, the inaugural awards ceremony featured performances from renowned local stars like professional violinist Dennis Lau, jazz queen Sheila Majid, Taiwan-based crooner Victor Wong and pop princess Shila Amzah.
Hong Kong actor, director and host Eric Tsang won the Best Actor award for the first time in 25 years. His last Best Actor award was in 1992 for his film Alan and Eric Between Hello and Goodbye at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
On the other hand, German actress Sandra Huller was named the Best Actress for her performance in the German-Austrian comedy-drama film Toni Erdman, while Singaporean Boo Junfeng received the Best New Director award for his film, Apprentice.
The prestigious ceremony also saw veteran actress Datuk Lai Meng or Aunty Lai Meng as she is more fondly known, receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her various contribution to the Malaysian Chinese film industry.
Some of the awards presenters at MGGA included Joe Cheung, Yeh Ju-feng, Dain Said, Shaheizy Sam, Elaine Jin, Anthony Wong, Josie Ho, Adreas Dresen and more.
See the complete list of winners below:
Best New Director — Boo Junfeng, Apprentice
Best Cinematography — Pan Luo, I Am Not Madame Bovary
Lifetime Achievement Award — Datuk Lai Meng
Best Screenplay — Paul Laverty, I, Daniel Blake
The Audience Choice Award — Hema Hema: Sing Me a Song While I Wait
Best Director — Brillante Mendoza, Ma’ Rosa
Best Actress — Sandra Huller, Toni Erdman
Best Actor — Eric Tsang, Mad World
Best Film — Singing in Graveyards — CinemaOnline
