KUALA LUMPUR: The coming action film The Assistant has been selected for competition at the Udine Far East Film Festival, where it will have its world premiere.
Its director Adrian Teh said that it marked the first time his film premiered at an international film festival.
"I was thrilled to receive news that The Assistant had been selected for competition and will have its international premiere at the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy," he said in a statement today.
He added that The Assistant symbolised Malaysia's rise to international fame in the film industry.
"I am honoured to be recognised by the festival, with the great support of the Malaysia International Film Festival which has worked hard to promote The Assistant internationally.
"We are all looking forward to its world premiere on April 22," he said.
Teh said that the actors, actresses and crew members did their best to wrap up production as scheduled.
"Thanks to their superb and world class work, we have made it big."
Malaysia International Film Festival chairman Joanne Goh said: "It has always been our mission to show the best of Malaysian cinema to the world.
"This year marks our first collaboration with the Far East Film Festival and we are confident that it will pave the way for more collaborations between producers in East and West."
The Assistant tells the story of Zafik (Iedil Dzuhrie Alaudin), who is wrongfully imprisoned.
He soon meets Feroz (Hairul Azreen) who offers him a "job" he cannot refuse.
As time goes by, Zafik discovers Feroz's true motives.
Besides Iedil and Hairul, The Assistant also stars Henley Hii and Coby Chong.
Hairul and Hii previously worked with Teh in the action films Paskal (2018) and Wira (2019).
The Assistant is jointly produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment Malaysia and Act 2 Pictures.
It is Act 2 Pictures' first collaboration with a Hollywood studio.
The Assistant will be screened in cinemas on May 19.