The acclaimed low-budget Universiti Malaya (UM) short film Alegría once again charmed audiences in Kuala Lumpur during the 3rd edition of the International ART BEATS Festival 2025, sponsored by Sunway University and Lancaster University, UK.

Produced by the Spanish Department at UM’s Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Alegría was the only external production invited to the festival, standing out among more than 20 short films from the Sunway and Lancaster campuses.

The eight-minute piece closed the opening session, screened alongside the popular Bread, directed by Sunway University student Khira Ammar, cementing its place as one of the festival’s most anticipated titles.

Following the screening, an engaging Q&A session was led by Dr Anna Henderson, Senior Teaching Associate in Film Practice at the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts.

Executive Producer Caning A. Jaramillo R. shared insights into the film’s creation, highlighting its co-development with local director Ewe Jin Sim and the active participation of UM students and lecturers.

Although Sim could not attend, his role as director and collaborator was warmly acknowledged.

Story of friendship

Blending humour, warmth, and striking images of Kuala Lumpur, the film tells a story of friendship that has resonated far beyond the Spanish-speaking world, including in Korea.

The plot follows a Malay girl who helps two lost Spanish tourists navigate the bustling heart of the city, combining comedy, drama, and vivid cinematography in a light yet meaningful narrative.

Since its debut, Alegría has enjoyed remarkable success. In 2018, it was selected for the ASEAN-Korea Youth Short Film Festival in Seoul, recognised among the top 36 films from 114 entries across Asia, and was the only Spanish-language film in competition – judged by a distinguished panel that included Anthony Chen, winner of the Camera d’Or at Cannes.

That same year, it represented Malaysia at the 17th Latin American Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur, which featured works from more than 10 countries, with India as the guest nation.

Its recognition extended to Europe when it was ranked among the Top 10 Best International Fiction Short Films in 2019 at the 16th Alicante Film Festival in Spain, chosen from more than 2,000 global entries.

Back home, it was also a finalist at Malaysia’s 2019 Fita Wave Short Film Awards, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the festival circuit.

What makes Alegría unique is not only its international festival achievements but also its heartfelt portrayal of cultural encounters in Malaysia.

Enriching cultural, linguistic diversity

In just eight minutes, it bridges language, identity, and humour – capturing the essence of Kuala Lumpur while connecting with audiences across borders.

The Lancaster University Film Festival serves as an academic platform showcasing the works of emerging directors across disciplines.

Its latest edition featured productions exploring themes such as identity, social justice, and mental health, making Alegría a valuable contribution that enriched the cultural and linguistic diversity of the event.

For UM’s Spanish Department, the invitation represents significant recognition of its creative work and illustrates how language learning can transcend the classroom and find expression through cinema.

Special thanks are extended to Assoc Prof Dr Mayco Axel Santaella and Assoc Prof Dr Padma Priya for their kind invitation and support, which made this participation possible.

-- BERNAMA

Caning Jaramillo is the Spanish Industrial Coordinator and a Spanish Language Lecturer at the Department of Asian and European Languages, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya.