Private Project

Para.Doc

After completing his feature film Waiters in 2024, filmmaker Adam Groves feels creatively burnt out and directionless. With no new projects and unpaid jobs piling up, he starts vlogging again to stay productive. During a visit to his friend Afiq, Adam learns about AITI’s Pitch & Produce program. Afiq encourages him to apply with a horror concept — something Adam has never done. His wife, Mel, pushes him to try.
While vlogging, Adam chats with a friend who shares a viral paranormal video featuring Wayne, an old acquaintance now live-streaming ghost hunts. Skeptical but curious, Adam meets Wayne and Brunei’s popular ghost hunter Angkal Yuyun, who tells him about a haunted homestay. Intrigued, Adam interviews the owners and is invited to spend a night. He and Mel set up cameras — and witness something terrifying.
The footage reveals a chilling presence. A message from a friend suggests there's more to the house's story. Motivated, Adam pitches a documentary to AITI. Despite skepticism, he returns to the homestay alone, fully equipped to investigate.
As paranormal events escalate, he uncovers a darker truth. Adam's creative escape becomes a haunting pursuit of truth.

  • Adam Groves
    Director
  • Adam Groves
    Writer
  • Imelda Groves
    Producer
  • Adam Groves
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 36 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 10, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Brunei Darussalam
  • Country of Filming:
    Brunei Darussalam
  • Language:
    English, Malay
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Adam Groves

Adam Groves filmmaking journey ignited with the Malaysian indie gem "Ciplak." He financed his passion through wedding videos and commercials, steadily upgrading equipment while delving into screenwriting and short film study. To gauge audience preferences, he ventured into creating skits and short films on YouTube. In 2016, he unveiled his debut feature, "Primajaya," which received acclaim as a first-time effort and "Waiters," in 2024, showcasing his relentless dedication to the art of filmmaking and his evolution as a filmmaker.

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Director Statement

Live-streaming ghost explorations in Brunei have become popular entertainment, but many of these shows feel exaggerated or staged to attract viewers. As a filmmaker familiar with video production, I often find myself skeptical and debunking much of the content, questioning what is truly real.

Brunei’s horror films tend to follow a familiar formula—more like dramas focused on makeup effects than genuine scares. I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of creating a horror film without showing the ghost itself, relying instead on atmosphere and pacing to build tension.

With this film, I wanted to challenge myself. As my third feature, I aimed to create a horror story that feels authentic and unscripted moments. Inspired by found footage classics like Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project, I sought to craft a narrative that blurs the line between fiction and reality.

My goal was to introduce a fresh approach to horror storytelling in Brunei—using a found footage style to engage audiences with suspense rooted in subtlety and believability. Additionally, I wanted to showcase that it’s possible to make a compelling film independently, using whatever cameras you have on hand, without relying on high production values or large crews.