Syafi Halim
 | The topic of this article may not meet Wikitia's general notability guideline. |
Syafi Halim | |
|---|---|
| Add a Photo | |
| Nationality | Bruneian |
| Occupation | Filmmaker, producer, content creator |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Organization | New Wave Films |
| Known for | Wujud, Kitani, Simpati |
Notable work | Wujud (2024) |
Syafi Halim is a Bruneian filmmaker, producer, and content creator. He is best known as the co-founder of the Brunei-based production company New Wave Films (NWF), and for directing the documentary Wujud (2024), which received multiple awards at the South East Academy International Film Festival (SEAiff).[1]
Early life and career
Syafi Halim began his creative work producing comedic and satirical videos on YouTube. His first upload, titled Another Cringey First Video, marked the beginning of his content creation journey, which later evolved into a talk and podcast-style channel called Chilling with Syafi.[2]
Through his growing interest in storytelling and film production, Syafi co-founded New Wave Films (NWF) in July 2020 with fellow Bruneian creative Wazif Zamri.[2] The company was established to produce independent Bruneian films and series that challenge conventional genres and promote creative experimentation.[2]
New Wave Films
New Wave Films (NWF) is a Brunei-based production company founded by Syafi Halim and Wazif Zamri. Drawing inspiration from the French New Wave, NWF focuses on homegrown stories with a contemporary and cinematic approach.[2]
Under NWF, Syafi has directed and produced several short films and series, including:
- Simpati — a short film addressing the issue of racism in Brunei.[3]
- Kitani (2021) — a six-episode limited series co-produced with Progresif Media. The show features both Malay and English dialogue and explores a zombie-apocalypse theme in a Bruneian setting.[3]
Wujud
In 2024, Syafi co-directed the feature documentary Wujud with Dr Rui Oliveira Lopes. The film explores Brunei’s history, cultural identity, and heritage, blending interviews and historical material into a narrative examining the country’s evolving sense of self.[1] Wujud was produced over approximately two years, from early 2022 to early 2024, and condensed more than 20 hours of recorded material into a 90-minute feature.[1]
The film received four major awards at the South East Academy International Film Festival (SEAiff):
- Best Documentary
- Best Cinematography
- Best Director
- Best Producer[1]
Other work
Syafi also appeared in the Bruneian feature film Akademi (2020), directed by Siti Kamaluddin.[4] Through New Wave Films, he has also contributed to commercial and promotional projects for local organizations and brands, including Jollibee Brunei, BruHealth, and the Brunei Consumer Fair.[5]
Vision and influence
Syafi Halim has expressed his goal of strengthening the Bruneian film industry by producing films that represent Bruneian culture authentically while meeting international standards of storytelling and production. His work emphasizes experimentation, collaboration, and the potential of Brunei’s creative scene to reach global audiences.[2]
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Type | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Akademi | Feature film | Actor | Directed by Siti Kamaluddin |
| 2021 | Kitani | Limited series | Director / Producer | Produced under New Wave Films |
| 2024 | Wujud | Documentary film | Director / Producer | Co-directed with Dr Rui Oliveira Lopes |
Awards and recognition
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | South East Academy International Film Festival | Wujud | Best Documentary | Won |
| 2024 | South East Academy International Film Festival | Wujud | Best Cinematography | Won |
| 2024 | South East Academy International Film Festival | Wujud | Best Director | Won |
| 2024 | South East Academy International Film Festival | Wujud | Best Producer | Won |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Star (10 June 2024). "Brunei documentary shines at South East Academy International Film Festival". The Star. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Local content creator making waves in the film industry". The Bruneian. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Progresif Media premieres local limited series 'Kitani'". The Bruneian. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Brunei film 'Akademi' set for January 16 cinema release". The Scoop. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "New Wave Films – Portfolio". newwavefilms-bn.com. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
External links
This article "Syafi Halim" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.