Siti Kamaluddin

Siti Kamaluddin is a Bruneian film director, producer, and entrepreneur, widely regarded as a foundational figure in the development of Brunei's modern film industry.^[1] In 2014, she was listed as one of the 50 most influential women in Brunei.^[2] Her career began as a writer and TV host in Brunei Darussalam, later started directing and producing TV shows. She is notable for directing Yasmine (2014), a film that marked a turning point in Bruneian cinema by achieving international festival exposure and distribution.^[1]

Siti Kamaluddin was born on 1 December 1979 in Bandar Seri Begawan. After graduating from high school at Downe House School in the UK, she proceeded to study chemistry at the University of Southampton. However, her passion for films surpassed her love for Chemistry, deciding to venture into the film industry. Siti began her entertainment career on screen as a TV Host for Orange Room.^[2][3]

Siti Kamaluddin established Origin Artistic Management, the leading production company in Brunei, where she produced and directed TV Commercials and documentaries for some of Brunei's largest corporate clients.^[2] For her efforts, she received the Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry for her earlier works.^[2]

She later directed the film Mentari, collaborating with six ASEAN directors to produce an anthology of films in celebration of International Women's Day 2014. The film was released just shortly before the release of her film Yasmine, her debut feature film, and Brunei Darussalam's First International Feature Film.^[3] Yasmine also won "Best Asian Film" at the Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival in 2014. The film also competed in multiple film festivals worldwide, including the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Fantastic Film Festival, Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, and Hawaii International Film Festival (NETPAC Awards).^[3]

After a successful start with Yasmine, Siti Kamaluddin started the Brunei Film Blitz in 2017 with the hopes of introducing the Bruneian audience to World Cinema.^[2] In 2018, she directed her second feature film Hari Minggu Yanng Ke-Empat, a drama-comedy for Eid al-Fitr.^[4] The film received the Special Jury Award at the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) and the Special Jury Award at the 59th Asia Pacific Film Festival in Macau.^[4] In 2020, Siti Kamaluddin released her third feature film Akademi which became a hit at the Brunei Box Office.^[4]