🎬 Lights, Camera… TUFF 2025!

Taylor’s University Film Festival is back—and it’s bolder, brighter, and more brilliant than ever.

Since its thrilling debut in 2019, TUFF has grown into one of the most anticipated university film festivals in the region—a global stage where creativity meets opportunity. From electrifying workshops and masterclasses with industry pros, to interactive booths, cinematic screenings, and an unforgettable gala awards night, TUFF is where tomorrow’s filmmakers make their mark.

After a brief pause in 2020 and 2021, TUFF made a powerful comeback in 2022 and 2023, embracing the best of both worlds with a hybrid festival format. Then came TUFF 2024, hailed by Pak Hassan, father of Malaysian Animation:
“Easily the best planned, managed & executed University fest I have ever seen.”
With big names like FINAS and Red Communications joining the celebration, TUFF officially cemented its place on the map.

And now, TUFF 2025 marks our milestone fifth edition, and we’re pulling out all the stops. Expect jaw-dropping student films, epic in-house and cinema screenings, up-close sessions with filmmakers, and a glamorous awards night that brings together the boldest student visionaries from around the world.

If you’re passionate about film, storytelling, or just love the magic of the screen, TUFF 2025 is your moment!

đź“… Mark your calendars. Submit your stories. And be part of the magic!

Awards & Prizes

There will be four (2) categories for submissions, with maximum durations for each sub-category as per below:

Documentary - 15mins
Short Film - 15mins

There will also be categories for technical achievements, which will be selected based on the overall submissions.

Best Director
Best Cinematographer
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Narrative
Best Editing
Best Documentary
Best Film
Audience Choice Award

In total, nine (9) awards will be handed out.

Rules & Terms

Films must have been produced between 1st May 2024 and 31st July 2025 only.

Films must have been produced while filmmakers were still in tertiary (college/university) education.

Films must be listed as student films on FilmFreeway to be eligible.

Shortlisted films will be contacted via email and be required to provide the necessary evidence prior to the final announcement.

All film submissions are to be done online via FilmFreeway only (https://filmfreeway.com/TUFF2025)

By submitting films to TUFF, candidates thereby grant TUFF to obtain full access permission to the film and make sure the film does not contravene the rights, including copyright of any third party. Filmmakers will be liable for any damages in the event TUFF and/or their film is sued for infringement during the screening.

Filmmakers who submit their films must grant TUFF the right to use up to 30 seconds of the film for media promotion purposes.

Films must not have been available for public viewing at any time prior to the festival, whether on broadcast/cable TV, digital streaming services, physical distribution (DVD or similar) or public online platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

We will not accept any submission that include corporate logos in the film and/or credits. Simple text credits are allowed.

Subtitles for Malaysian submissions:
i) All non-English language films should have English & Bahasa Malaysia subtitles.
ii) All English language films should have Bahasa Malaysia subtitles.

Subtitles for International submissions:
i) All films in languages other than English must have English subtitles.
13 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • EUNJUN SEO

    It was a great film festival. Thank you very much for this great opportunity. I think we can grow into a much better film festival if we just want to communicate.

    July 2024
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  • Cantika C.

    We really appreciate your exceptional level of cooperation and consistent ability to find solutions, no matter the challenges. Thank you for being such a valuable support to us!

    July 2024
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  • Afiq Affendi

    A great film festival that celebrates cinemas on its own level. Thanks, TUFF, for becoming one of the major festivals in Malaysia.

    July 2024
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  • yuan ling loo

    Could see the effort behind the organisers and the event committee. Having Finas, GSC cinemas, and other industrial partners shows how dedicated they are to create a better future for cinema and young filmmakers. Keep up the good work. Can't be grateful enough to be part of the event.

    July 2024
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  • 樱 莊

    Is an amazing and memorable day, and thanks for having our short film.

    May 2023
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