Cover Koo Hui Yin’s short film ‘Ndhuk’ becomes the first Malaysian and Southeast Asian entry at San Sebastián Film Festival’s prestigious NEST student competition
Koo Hui Yin’s short film ‘Ndhuk’ becomes the first Malaysian and Southeast Asian entry at San Sebastián Film Festival’s prestigious NEST student competition
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Koo Hui Yin’s short film ‘Ndhuk’ becomes the first Malaysian and Southeast Asian entry at San Sebastián Film Festival’s prestigious NEST student competition, standing alongside La Fémis, NYU Tisch, and Columbia University
For the first time in history, a Malaysian filmmaker will compete at the illustrious San Sebastián International Film Festival (SSIFF) in Spain. Ndhuk (a Japanese term of endearment referring to daughters), a tender yet unflinching short film by Multimedia University (MMU) graduate Koo Hui Yin (also known as Cammy Koo), has been selected for NEST—the festival’s highly competitive student film section.
Running from September 19–27, 2025, the 73rd edition of SSIFF will see Ndhuk stand shoulder-to-shoulder with films from some of the most renowned schools in the world, including La Fémis in Paris, Columbia University, and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Out of 473 submissions from 220 schools across 57 countries, only 14 films made the cut. Malaysia’s debut in this space is, quite simply, cinematic history.
Read more: How The Projector’s Karen Tan turned a forgotten cinema into Singapore’s coolest cultural hub
Above the 73rd edition of SSIFF will see Ndhuk stand shoulder-to-shoulder with films from some of the most renowned arts schools in the world
the 73rd edition of SSIFF will see Ndhuk stand shoulder-to-shoulder with films from some of the most renowned arts schools in the world
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Produced as Koo’s final-year project at MMU’s Faculty of Cinematic Arts, Ndhuk follows Ika, a domestic worker in Malaysia whose quiet existence is shaken when a pocket dial from her daughter in Indonesia reveals a distressing secret.
Poignant and intimate, the film meditates on the fragile but unbreakable bonds of motherhood, a theme central to Koo’s storytelling.
“This is a proud moment not only for MMU but for Malaysia as a whole,” says Shahfeeq Jibin, Dean of MMU’s Faculty of Cinematic Arts. “It reflects the world-class quality of our young filmmakers, and affirms our vision of nurturing talents who can tell authentic stories with international impact.”
See also: How this Malaysian-born Yale Divinity student found her voice outside of a musical setting
Above ‘Ndhuk’ was produced as Cammy Koo’s final-year project at MMU’s Faculty of Cinematic Arts
‘Ndhuk’ was produced as Cammy Koo’s final-year project at MMU’s Faculty of Cinematic Arts
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Beyond its screening, Ndhuk will contend for major prizes such as the Nest – The Mediapro Studio Award (€10,000), the Movistar Plus+ Award, and the Tabakalera Award, which offers a three-week residency in Spain.
“What pushes me to make films are the people I meet along the way,” Koo says. “Before I wrote the film, I wanted to be able to hear from the women I was writing about themselves. So I interviewed and befriended a lot of women migrant workers. They were kind enough to let me into their world and get to know their families, their experiences and feelings. Until today I remain friends with many of them.”
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Koo adds that she is working on an Indonesian translation of the film in order to make it accessible to the community that inspired its main character. “I think the fascinating thing about filmmaking is that it never really ends. In a way, Ndhuk has almost became somewhat of a homage to these women I’ve come to know.”
Since its founding in 1953, SSIFF has premiered the works of cinematic giants from Hitchcock to Wong Kar Wai. With Ndhuk, Malaysia now joins that storied tradition, proving that even the most personal of stories can reverberate across the world stage.
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Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
