An animated film of Malaysian production, The Pillar of Strength, has recently earned acclaim at the International Human-Environment Care Film Festival (HECFF 2023) in Toronto, Canada. The film, advocating for endangered generations while supporting efforts to break the cycle of endangerment, proudly clinched the Best Cultural Diversity Film Award.

Mr Mohamed Khairi Ibrahim, fondly known as Aie Ibrahim, an Animation Lecturer at the School of Media, Arts and Design (SoMAD) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), received accolades when the winners were announced on February 11, 2024.

Amongst four other contenders, including Belgium’s “Amuka,” Brazil’s “Cosmovision,” Malaysia’s “Mentawai,” and the United States’s “Stitch by Stitch,” Aie Ibrahim's seven minutes 30 seconds short film emerged victorious in its category. Each of these films raised awareness of human-environment care, human rights issues, and environmental concerns through creative storytelling.

The International Human-Environment Care Film Festival (HECFF), running for four consecutive years since 2020, aims to provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and gain industry exposure, supporting the sustainability of their craft.

"The Pillar of Strength" was a labour of love, with Aie Ibrahim handling various aspects of production, including writing, directing, animation, character design, and visualisation. Supported by a grant from the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and the Malaysian Ministry of Finance through a grant from the National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA), the film was finalised in 2021.

The animated film narrates a story about family, natural relations and human identity as well as the patterns and culture of life in the Borneo archipelago, promotes cultural forms, life patterns and spiritual energy between human relationships with nature as well as unearthing the conflicts of family relationships between a father and his son in recognising the origin of their lineage.

To capture the essence of the indigenous tribes in Sarawak, Aie Ibrahim spent nearly three weeks on Borneo Island, immersing himself in the culture by visiting museums and community villages in Lubok Antu and Kota Samarahan.

Explaining his motivation, Aie Ibrahim expressed, “My main objective was to amplify the voices of indigenous people in Borneo and raise their visibility globally with the motto ‘to empower culture through animation’.”

Aie Ibrahim's dedication has been recognised with 25 awards over the years, including honours from prestigious festivals in Spain, France, and Korea, highlighting his talent and commitment to storytelling.

With Aie Ibrahim's expertise as a highly recognised seasoned animator in the global industry, students at SoMAD benefit significantly from cutting-edge, globalised training, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the industry upon graduation.

“Cultivating creativity and staying attuned to industry trends is essential in animation education. I aim to provide my students with not just theoretical knowledge but also practical insights and instincts honed through real-world experience. By immersing them in the latest techniques and trends, I want to empower them to innovate and excel in the dynamic field of animation,” enthused Aie Ibrahim.

The trailer of The Pillar of Strength can be watched here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-GS0Dex0uA