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December 09,2024 , Kuala Lumpur – The Grand Prize Winner of the BMW Shorties 2024 with the theme ‘PULSE’ goes to ‘Tomorrow is Spring (வருங்காலம்வசந்தகாலம்)’ by Krityishaa A/P Karunagaran.
Benjamin Nagel, MD of BMW Group Malaysia presented the award to Krityishaa A/P Karunagaran. Also presence were Markus Lang, Finance Director of BMW Group Malaysia,Sashi Ambi, Director of Corporate Communications & Sustainability at BMW Group Malaysia, and BMW Shorties Judges-Nadiah Hamzah,Saw Teong Hin, and Jeany Amir.
Among the BMW 2024 Shorties Finalists were Ronald Chan Jun Chuan, Danial Nawawi, Nur Nasuha Fairus, Chong Bao Quan, Fattah Fawzy,Sidney Chan, Deru Inara, Chan Teik Quan,and Chew Boon Wai.
Benjamin Nagel, MD of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The BMW Shorties, as our longest-running cultural initiative, stands at the heart of our goal to discover and celebrate the immense creative talent in Malaysia. For 18 years, this platform has been a springboard for emerging storytellers, reflecting our commitment to nurturing innovation and artistry. This focus also extends across our other initiatives such as our ENvision.NEXT, BMW Technical Trainee, and BMW Product Genius programmes, which are designed to cultivate a high-calibre local workforce. Together, these efforts highlight our dedication not just to developing talent across our business touchpoints, but also to fostering a society fuelled by creativity, resilience, and progress.”
A character-driven 15-minute creative project, ‘Tomorrow is Spring’ tells the story of Menaga, a security guard who seems content in the life she has built in her communal flat. However, after an argument with her partner, she becomes determined to change her way of living. Her journey, told through a visually captivating slice-of-life lens, sheds light on the struggles faced by the country’s lower-income community while centring a story fuelled by one woman’s perseverance in the face of constant setbacks, in order to give herself the life she deserves.
Krityishaa A/P Karunagaran took home RM80,000 as part of a production grant after her film, ‘Tomorrow is Spring’, was unanimously selected by a panel of distinguished judges from all facets of the Malaysian creative industry, comprising of Jeany Amir (Bu, Kasih Suci), Saw Teong Hin (Puteri Gunung Ledang and You Mean The World To Me), Tunku Mona Riza (Redha and Rain Town), Ghazi Alqudcy (Temporary Visa, Letters from the Ends of the World) and Nadiah Hamzah (Motif).
Krityishaa shared, “This is an incredible honour and an emotional milestone in my journey as a filmmaker. ‘Tomorrow is Spring’ was written as a love letter to resilience and hope, not just for me but for everyone who has faced life’s different seasons – showing that even if you do not get what you are looking for today, just maybe, tomorrow will be a brighter day. I am deeply grateful to my amazing cast and crew for their trust and dedication in bringing this story to life. To have our work recognised on the BMW Shorties has been equal parts a humbling and empowering experience and has reaffirmed my belief in the power of stories that are rooted in truth, especially here in Malaysia.”
Ipoh-born Krityishaa , a Biotechnology graduate,she eventually pursued her passion for storytelling by earning a degree in Digital Film and Television from Lim Kok Wing University. With over seven years of experience as a director/writer, she is currently a director and writer at Buzzworks Films.
‘Tomorrow is Spring’ captivated the judges with its profoundly moving exploration of quiet resilience, brought to life through exceptional storytelling and standout performances.
To further drive home the decision, the project also took home the supporting awards of Best Director, Best Story, and Best Actress for Piravina Ragunathan, whose compelling portrayal anchored the film’s powerful narrative. Beyond impressing the Judging panel, Krityishaa’s story also resonated deeply with the wider community of the BMW Shorties, earning them the coveted People’s Choice Award, after weeks of online voting came to a close.
Ghazi Alqudcy celebrated creative auteur and mentor said, “The level of talent displayed in this year’s competition has been nothing short of astounding, but ‘Tomorrow is Spring’ stood out for its emotional depth, particularly in respect to its character-centric storyline. Krityishaa’s direction demonstrated a keen understanding of the human condition, brought to life through the love she showed for her characters.”
Fellow judge and visionary Malaysian filmmaker Jeany Amir commented, “The strength of ’Tomorrow is Spring’ lies in how it ties together exceptional performances, striking visuals, and a deeply resonant narrative to create a story that lingers with you long after the credits roll. Krityishaa’s talent to communicate profound emotions with such simplicity, authenticity and even moments of light humour is remarkable. It is clear that her dedication to her craft holds the promise of even greater works to come.”
Saw Teong Hin, a trailblazing luminary in Malaysia’s film industry added, “I’ve always believed that even the most familiar stories can feel new and extraordinary when told with a fresh perspective, and that is exactly what ‘Tomorrow is Spring’ has captured. Krityishaa’s unique lens has helped her find the extraordinary in the ordinary, and we are excited to see her push these boundaries further in her future work.”
Sashi Ambihaipahan, Director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The BMW Shorties has always been more than just a cultural endeavour for us – its success has been honed by being a platform to discover, support, and celebrate emerging creative talent in Malaysia’s vibrant creative digital content space. With this year’s theme, PULSE, we drew inspiration from our drive towards electrified mobility and innovation. It reflects the heartbeat of creative energy that defines both the BMW brand and the storytellers we aim to empower. As we reflect on this year’s edition, we are proud of the profound success The BMW Shorties has achieved over the years, highlighting exceptional creative talent in stories like Tomorrow is Spring, which beautifully encapsulated the spirit of this year’s theme.”
