Nay Pyi Taw February 7
The 2025 Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards Presentation Ceremony was held at the Myanmar International Convention Centre I (MICC I) in Nay Pyi Taw this evening, attended by Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who delivered the opening address and presented Awards for Motion Pictures Achievement.
Also present at the ceremony were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, SSPC member Prime Minister U Nyo Saw and wife, SSPC Secretary General Ye Win Oo and wife, SSPC members and wives, union ministers, union level dignitaries and wives, region/state chief ministers, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander, deputy ministers, patrons, the chair and members of Myanmar Motion Picture Association, members of Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards Scrutiny Board, officials of MMPA, Myanmar Thabin Association, Myanmar Music Ass-ociation (Central), Myanmar Press Council, Myanmar Comedians Association, associations of literature and media, and international organizations, intellectuals and technicians of movie, literature, drama and theatre, music worlds, artists, officials and specially invited guests.
First, the Senior General opened the ceremony by erect-ing the Academy Star on the digital machine board.
Artistes from MMPA staged the song “Myanmar, Myanmar Movie” and artistes from the Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture staged the song “Academy Statue shines with dignity”, and a video clip on “the Brighter Tomorrows” was screened.
In his address, the Senior General said born in 1920, age of Myanmar films has reached its 106th year. As the film industry has portrayed the important sectors of the State, objective conditions of the nation, joys and miseries of life with artistic skills, it can be said that the industry was dutiful for the country and people.
Cinematic art serves as a basic force vital for national development. As it reflects views, principles and values, develop-ment that is absent from cinematic art and culture is imperfect. All must understand that material development can be followed by erosion of characteristics, loss of national and racial identity, bad influences.
Myanmar motion pictures serve as a language that connects Myanmar culture, traditions and customs with the world, and also as the media that showcases language, culture, customs, and lives to the world. Hence, cinematic art is a force for nation building as well as the soul of the State.
The standard of culture of a race and country can be illustrated through living standard improvement. Teachings and guidance of religions and folk teachings, kindness, sympathy, establishment of civilized societies, understanding of popular arts and culture of the relevant ages, treasured values and developmental cultivation can also be witnessed.
It is common knowledge that every culture of a race and country can be divided into intangible cultural heritage and tangible cultural heritage. Culture that involves language, thoughts, customs, dress and style, faith, traditions, views, crafting knowledge, fine arts is called intangible culture and all the touchable items utilized by a race are included in tangible cultural heritage.
The cultural heritage of Myanmar holds unique significance and profound meaning, just like the cultural heritage of other nations around the world. All filmmakers and artistes are capable of preserving and pass-ing on the priceless national cultural heritage, entrusted to them by their ancestors, to future generations. Therefore, they all were urged that all of their tangible and intangible cultural heritage be safeguarded and valued as part of the world’s cultural legacy, ensuring it is protected and cherished for all humanity.
At this time, the 2025 multi-party democratic general election has been successfully completed, and soon institutions aligned with democracy will reemerge in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Hence, the Senior General expressed gratitude to all artistes and citizens of various ethnic groups who collectively supported and contributed to the successful conduct of the election.Although democracy can be described as a system in which the people govern, the processes that must be carried out to implement this system are referred to as “democratization.” In other words, the transition from a centralized administrative system to a democratic governance system cannot be achieved all at once but must occur step by step, and this stepwise process is called democratization.Reaching this stage requires that all members of society face the actual conditions realistically. Unrealistic or superficial mobilization cannot succeed, nor can individuals simply push their personal desires to the forefront. Democratization must be firmly grounded in the social and economic conditions of society, the organization and stru-cture of social groups, and the political culture of the country.
Although various forms of democratization exist in countries around the world, Myanmar’s democratization process did not begin by simply adopting standard democratic models. Instead, it was shaped based on the country’s actual conditions, its socio-economic development, and the historical political traditions it had experienced. The transition was carried out according to the 2008 Constitution through an imposed process (Imposed Transition). In other words, the 2008 Constitution serves as the foundational framework that must be strictly followed and implemented throughout Myanmar’s democratization process. It is essential for both political actors and the general public to understand this reality.
As the national government, we prioritize the interests of the country and all its ethnic citizens, striving to bring about a better nation and improved social and economic well-being. Given the current global situat-ion and the practical realities of our country, the three core national responsibilities—non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty—are the most essential and proper national objectives and duties.
At present, the national government is firmly grounded in the Our Three Main National Causes and is implementing political, economic, and social objectives accordingly. Therefore, all citizens of Myanmar are once again urged to unite with a shared national spirit and work hand in hand to ensure the peace, stability, and development of the nation.
In the near future, the winners of the 2025 Myanmar Motion Pictures Excellence Awards will be officially announced and honored. During 2025, a total of 72 Myanmar films were screened in cinemas, and from among these films, outstanding artists and technicians will be carefully evaluated in stages and awarded accordingly. The fact that more Myanmar films were screened this year compared to previous years demonstrates that the film industry has returned to normal activity. Special thanks are extended to the Motion Pictures Organization, relevant organizations, and all artistes for their contributions.
I would like to reiterate, as I have every year, that this year as well I encourage continued support for the development of various fields such as literature, film, music, and traditional arts. The government has provided and will continue to provide the necessary assistance to help these sectors grow. Film artistes are encouraged not only to entertain the public but also to depict and showcase the country’s culture, cherished Myanmar traditions, values, and the beauty of its rivers, lands, forests, and mountains, thereby contributing to national development. Moreover, I strongly urge them to produce works that promote national spirit, love for their region and country, cultural pride, the advancement of public knowledge, and the successful achievement of the State’s objectives.
This year as well, the Myanmar Motion Picture Organization’s award selection committee will soon present the awards they have chosen. It is hoped and believed that the artists who receive these outstanding awards will gain even greater strength to continue advancing their artistic endeavors and will dedicate themselves with even more effort and determination to excel in their creative work.
It was also expressed that it is wished and urged that artists who have not yet won awards will enhance their artistic talents and be able to reap awards in the coming years. Specifically, it is earnestly appealed that Myanmar traditions and characteristics should not fade or disappear, that the encroachment of foreign cultural practices and characteristics should be prevented to ensure that the leaf does not cover the stem. While adapting appropriately to the changing currents of the
times, they are urged to contribute to the nation and its people by basing their work on the arts they have mastered and infu-sing it with a nationalistic spirit.
Subsequently, U Kyi Soe Tun, the Chairman of the Myanmar Motion Picture Association and an Academy Awards winner, delivered congratulatory remarks.
Following that, the ceremony host individually introduced the Gold Ushers who assisted at the 2025 Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards ceremony.
Afterwards, Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn announced the recipients of the 2025 Myanmar Motion Picture Lifetime Achievement Awards during the ceremony for presenting the 2025 Myanmar Motion Picture Excellence Awards.
Then, the Acting President and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission presented awards to the Life-time Achievement Award recipients: U Htay Aung (Swe Ba-mar), Actress Daw Khin Lay Swe, and Academy Director U Kyi Soe Tun, who were honored with pride by the Myanmar Motion Picture Association, artists, technicians, and all members of the film industry. A commemorative group photo was then taken.
After that, the artists who received the Lifetime Achieve-ment Awards expressed their joy and gratitude.
Following that, the winners for the 2025 Motion Picture Technical and Artistic Awards were announced: Best Cinematography award went to “Hninn Pwint Sayar” (film) by Thar Kyaw; Best Film Music award went to “Myit Let Tet Pae Met Yay Si Ka Kyan Te” (film) by Han Htoo Zin; Best Sound award went to “Nat Win The” (film) by Ko Joe; Best Film Edit-ing award went to “Myo Pya Htel Ka Lan Ma” (film) by Aca-demy Khun; Best Screenplay award went to “Maunt Mi Pha-ya” (film) by Thilan; and Best Picture award went to “Pan Myaing Lel Hma U Yin Hmu” (film) by Hein Film Production.
The award winners were presented with Academy Golden Statuettes by veteran Academy Award-winning senior artists, and the winners expressed their thanks.
Subsequently, the Myanmar Academy Fashion Awards, chosen from among the artists attending the 2025 Myanmar Motion Picture Excellence Awards ceremony, were presented. Best Senior Men’s Fashion Award went to Academy Nay Toe; Best Women’s Fashion Award went to Academy May Than Nu; Best Men’s Fashion Award went to Kaung Myat San; and Best Women’s Fashion Award went to Yadanar Bo. The awards were presented by Academy Award winner Swe Zin Htike.
Continuing, the winners for the 2025 Motion Picture Technical and Artistic Awards were announced: Best Director award went to “Byaw Than” (film) by Academy Aw Ra Tha; Best Supporting Actress award went to “Maunt Mi Phaya” (film) by Khaing Hnin Wai; Best Supporting Actor award went to “Myit Let Tet Pae Met Yay Si Ka Kyan Te” (film) by Nay Myo Aung; Best Actress award went to “Maunt Mi Phaya” (film) by Yadanar Bo; and Best Actor award went to “Myay Sar” (film) by Academy Myint Myat.
The award winners were presented with Academy Golden Statuettes by the Union Minister for Information and veteran Academy Award-winning senior artists. The winners expressed their gratitude.
During the Myanmar Motion Picture Excellence Awards ceremony, artists performed songs and dances in turns.
Afterwards, the Acting President and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission took a commemorative group photo with the 2025 Myanmar Motion Picture Ex-cellence Award winners and warmly greeted the scholars, technicians, and artists from various fields such as film, literature, theater, and music who attended the ceremony.
Myanmar cinema, which be-gan in 1920, has now reached 106 years. With the aim of elevating the standards of Myanmar cinema, the Myanmar Film Development Committee, established in 1952, has been selecting and awarding outstanding and talented artists and technicians from the Myanmar film industry. It is reported that today’s 2025 Best Myanmar Motion Picture Excellence Awards ceremony is the 67th such awards presentation within a 74-year period.
