Malaysian films and series win national honours at Asian Academy Creative Awards

Malaysian productions including Malam Terlarang and Good Boys Go To Heaven have won national honours in the 2026 Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA). Announced on September 30, the winners advance to the regional competition, with the overall awards to be decided in Singapore on December 3.

Astro Shaw’s Malam Terlarang collected four awards: Best Feature Film, Best Direction (Feature Film) for the late Nurhanisham Muhammad, Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Sofia Jane, and Best Promo or Trailer.

Five honours went to the Astro Originals series Good Boys Go To Heaven. Alongside Best Drama Series, it won Best Cinematography (Fiction), Best Editing and Best Screenplay, while Beto Kusyairy received Best Actor in a Leading Role. Bad Cop was recognised for Best Adaptation of an Existing Format (Scripted).

Viu Malaysia’s original productions also earned five national awards. Seadanya Kita brought Emma Maembong the Best Actress in a Leading Role award, while its theme song, Berakhir Kita, won Best Theme Song or Title Theme.

For Kelas Belakang, Nurhanisham received Best Scripted Direction and Farihin Arnia won Best Supporting Actor for playing Johan. Viu Micro Drama Cinta Ori, made with Creative Stew and Mi Sedaap Malaysia, took Best Micro Drama. The category was introduced in 2026, making this Malaysia’s first micro drama win.

Animation winners included Monsta Studio’s Papa Zola The Movie, which received Best Animation, and Upin & Ipin – Wira Minyak Sawit, which won Best Children’s Programme. Kavin Jay: Nobody Asked received Best Comedy, while Namamu Cinta won Best Original Production by a Streamer.

TV3’s Majalah 3: Merintis Horizon took Best Documentary (One-Off). AACA recognises film, television and digital content across the Asia-Pacific, with national winners proceeding to the Grand Awards Gala at Capitol Theatre to compete against other regional winners.