MOST candidates who passed the first-round selection to serve as ceremonial attendants at the Academy Awards ceremony lack knowledge of Myanmar cinema, and some do not even watch Myanmar films, said two-time Academy Award winner May Than Nu, who served as a judge at the selection event.
The second-round selection of ceremonial attendants for the 2025 Myanmar Motion Pictures Academy Awards Ceremony to be held in Nay Pyi Taw took place on 29 December at the Myanmar Motion Pictures Organization’s Golden Jubilee Hall in Bahan Township, Yangon Region. The remarks were made by May Than Nu in her capacity as a judge while assessing the majority of the candidates.
“Today, we asked questions related to general knowledge about cinema. Many of the young participants lack sufficient preparation. I have explained the selection system many times: the scores awarded by all judges are added together, and those with the highest marks are selected. Those who fail to advance simply have lower scores. It is encouraging to see that everyone is making an effort. What is interesting this year is the large number of male contestants. Selection for Academy Awards attendants is not about choosing actors; rather, we focus on physical appearance and how presentable the contestants look on stage,” May Than Nu added.
The judging panel for the second-round selection comprised Academy Award winners Khant Si Thu, Yan Aung, May Than Nu and Soe Myat Thuzar, along with Academy Award–winning directors Nyunt Myanmar Nyi Nyi Aung and Maung Thi.
Nearly 300 applicants have applied for the selection, and the Myanmar Motion Pictures Organization has announced that candidates who meet the stipulated criteria will be selected through successive rounds. — ASH/KNN
