Pocket money, rainy shoots, 7 awards: how ‘Kola Loompor’ came together
With no professional actors and a budget funded largely from their own pockets, a group of UiTM film students turned an ambitious short into a prizewinning production.
"Kola Loompor" is a 18-minute short film produced by students from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Malaysia. The film's story follows a Bangladeshi migrant worker, Naeem, and his friendship with a local homeless woman, Zainab, set against the backdrop of Kuala Lumpur. The film's success is a result of students pooling their personal funds, with contributions ranging from RM100 to RM1,200.
Director Wan Nur Azwin Wan Nazrul Aisham (known as Aween Aisham) contributed RM1,000 of her own money, while another team member contributed up to RM1,200. The film won seven awards at the 14th Malaysian Student Film and Video Festival, including the prestigious Best of the Best award. The film was shot outdoors around Kuala Lumpur during rainy conditions, which added to its authenticity.
The lead role was played by a Bangladeshi supermarket worker, reflecting the real-life experiences of migrant workers in the city. The RM50,000 production grant received by the team will enable them to create their next project with greater resources. Experts advise student filmmakers to use short films to build portfolios and gain exposure, as universities often produce promising final-year projects that could benefit from industry collaboration and support.
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- Pocket money, rainy shoots, 7 awards: how ‘Kola Loompor’ came together freemalaysiatoday.com
