On September 8, 2025, the Malaysian Chargé d’Affaires in Prague, Mr. Amirul Zaki bin Fadzir, hosted a special evening at the Městská knihovna Praha (Municipal Library of Prague) as part of the ASEAN+3 Film Festival. Together with members of the Diplomatic Corps, Czech cultural figures, and film enthusiasts, he welcomed the audience to the screening of Malaysia’s official contribution: the animated feature “Mechamato Movie.”

The Chargé d’Affaires, in his welcoming remarks, underlined the importance of cultural diplomacy and the role of film in presenting Malaysia’s creative industries to international audiences. He introduced the film, highlighting its popularity in Malaysia and its significance as a showcase of contemporary Malaysian animation.

About the ASEAN+3 Film Festival

The ASEAN+3 Film Festival is an annual cultural event organized by the ASEAN Committee in Prague (ACP), together with the embassies of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, in cooperation with the Municipal Library of Prague.

Running in 2025 from September 3 to September 10, the festival presented a diverse program of films from Southeast Asia and East Asia. Each screening was accompanied by introductions and discussions, offering Prague audiences insights into the cultural richness of the ASEAN+3 region. According to the festival’s official program, Malaysia’s “Mechamato Movie” was screened on September 8 at 18:30.

The Malaysian Film: Mechamato Movie

Mechamato Movie is an acclaimed animated feature from Malaysia that follows the adventures of a young boy who discovers a powerful robot from space. Combining humor, action, and themes of friendship, creativity, and responsibility, the film has been praised both in Malaysia and abroad for its storytelling and vibrant animation.

Its screening in Prague highlighted Malaysia’s growing animation industry and demonstrated how Southeast Asian cinema can resonate with international audiences, particularly younger generations. For Czech viewers, it offered a fresh cultural perspective and a taste of modern Malaysian creativity.

Cultural Diplomacy & Czech–Malaysia Relations

Events like this festival reflect the broader framework of Czech–Malaysia relations, which have steadily expanded in recent years in the fields of trade, education, and culture. Cinema, as a form of soft power, allows Malaysia to present its culture and creative industries in a way that goes beyond official diplomacy.

For the Czech Republic, participation in ASEAN+3 cultural projects brings diversity to Prague’s cultural scene, while strengthening ties with Asia’s dynamic economies and societies. Festivals like these also open doors for further cooperation in tourism, student exchange, and the creative industries.

Conclusion

The Malaysian evening at the ASEAN+3 Film Festival in Prague was more than a film screening. It was an act of cultural exchange, a celebration of Malaysia’s creativity, and a reinforcement of the bonds between Malaysia and the Czech Republic.

With Mr. Amirul Zaki bin Fadzir introducing Mechamato Movie to a Prague audience, the event illustrated how cinema can serve as a bridge between nations—building understanding, friendship, and appreciation across continents.