Alumni Spotlight

YSEALI Seeds for the Future Grantee Produces Conservation Film Series in Brunei

YSEALI Seeds for the Future has brought together many talented people to address the most pressing challenges in different communities across Southeast Asia. In 2020, despite all the ups and downs, the YSEALI Seeds grantees have added a new meaning to the word “community” with their perseverance and passion.

As we get ready to leave behind a challenging year, we are celebrating small grant competition winner Play Naturally for releasing Brunei’s first series of conservation short films. The innovative project provides opportunities for Bruneian youth to create short films inspired by the beauty of nature and local myths and legends.

The Play Naturally project provides opportunities for Bruneian youth to create short films inspired by the beauty of nature and Dusun myths and legends. The project was launched with the hope “… that the stories we create will inspire filmmakers and audiences alike to see natural environments as part of our cultural heritage,” the founders of Play Naturally wrote on their website.

Play Naturally’s three short films Mother Nature, Mpoyong, and Kisah Suang Jati are available for viewing on their website. You may support the young artists by watching and “liking” their creative expression. Read more about these three films below.

Mother’s Nature

Mother’s Nature is inspired by the story of Pulau Labi-labi, an island in the middle of Tasek Merimbun lake in Brunei. This short film tells the story of a young boy raised by a tour guide from the lake who struggles to find balance between his ideals and his duties.

Mpoyong

Mpoyong, named after a monster from a Dusun legend, is a short thriller about two sisters who return to their mother’s village following her passing to learn more about her past. The legend implies that even if Mpoyong has never been seen, you can still hear cries of pain and dragging chains.

Kisah Suang Jati

Kisah Suang Jati is a short film drama that portrays a Dusun mother and son, caught between the tides of tradition and urbanization. Find out how they reflect on their heritage while transitioning out of a place they always called home.