The 2024 Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards Presentation Ceremony was held on February 9 at the MICC Hall 1 in Naypyidaw. A total of 20 Academy Awards, including three Lifetime Achievement Awards and one Special Award, were presented during the ceremony.
In 2024, 49 Myanmar films were released, out of which 18 were selected by the Myanmar Motion Picture Censorship Board for consideration for the Academy Awards. The best films in various categories were honored with outstanding awards.
The Myanmar Motion Picture Awards ceremony has been held since 1960, and this year marked the 66th edition of the event. The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the State Administration Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and his wife, members of the State Administration Council, the Union Minister for Information, officials from the film, theater, and music associations, and other dignitaries.
The 2024 Academy Awards ceremony began at 6:00 PM on February 9. The event was officially opened by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn, and Myanmar Motion Picture Organization Chairman Academy Award winner U Kyi Soe Tun, who pressed the button to unveil the golden Academy statuette.
Following the opening remarks by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, U Kyi Soe Tun delivered a congratulatory speech. The ceremony then introduced the "Golden Couples," who served as the hosts for the 2023 Myanmar Motion Picture Awards.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were then presented, with the winners announced by Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn. The recipients included veteran actor U Kyi Soe, veteran actress Wah Wah Win Shwe, director Maung Nyan Moe, and additional Academy Award winner Daw Khin Than Nu.
Subsequently, the Academy Awards were presented. The Best Cinematography Award for 2024 went to Kaung Zun for the film "If Only My Lover Were a Flower." The Best Film Music Award was awarded to Di Ra Mo for the film "Einmat Karyan." The Best Sound Award was won by Aung Myo Myat and Ye Win for the film "Fire." The Best Editing Award was given to Akar Kyaw for the film "Bound."
It is worth noting that the Best Editing and Best Sound Awards were not presented at the 2023 Myanmar Motion Picture Awards but were reintroduced this year.
The Best Screenplay Award for 2024 was awarded to Aye Thiri Ko for the film "Cloud Painting." The Best Film Award went to "If Only My Lover Were a Flower." Additionally, the Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Myanmar Cinema was given to makeup artist Lon Lon (Linka Dipa) for the film "Bound."
The Best Costume Design Awards were also presented. The Best Senior Male Costume Design Award went to Academy Award winner Yan Aung, while the Best Senior Female Costume Design Award was given to Academy Award winner Soe Moe Kyi. The Best Male Costume Design Award was awarded to Htet Aung Shine, and the Best Female Costume Design Award went to Nan Su Yati Soe. These costume design awards were first introduced at the 2023 Myanmar Motion Picture Awards.
The Best Director Award for 2024 was given to director Win Lwin Htet for the film "Einmat Karyan." The Best Supporting Actress Award was awarded to Chu Lay for the film "Bodaw Kin," and the Best Supporting Actor Award went to Aye Chan Maung for the film "Fire."
The Best Actress Award for 2024 was won by Academy Award winner Wut Mhone Shwe Yee for the film "Cloud Painting." Wut Mhone Shwe Yee had previously won the Best Actress Award in 2013 and the Best Supporting Actress Award in 2014, making this her third Academy Award. She had been widely predicted to win the Best Actress Award for her role in "Cloud Painting" even before the ceremony.
Similarly, the Best Actor Award for 2024 went to popular actor Nay Toe for his role in the film "Bound." Nay Toe had previously won Academy Awards in 2009, 2015, and 2017, making this his fourth Academy Award. Like Wut Mhone Shwe Yee, Nay Toe had been widely expected to win the Best Actor Award prior to the ceremony.
