A SHORT filmmaker and a comedian have teamed up to hold a video competition to send positive messages about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).

The competition requires the contestants to create a 3-minute video clip in Bahasa Malaysia, English or Chinese with the theme ‘Pro LGBT’.

According to the online poster, the competition is organised by Grim Film Productions and local comedian Dr Jason Leong.

“It is to show love instead of discrimination against the LGBT community,” Grim Film co-founder Jared Lee told The Malaysian Insight on Facebook messaging.

The poster, which was up on Grim Film’s Facebook page since 1pm yesterday, has since gotten over 270 shares overnight.

When asked why they chose collaborate with Leong to hold the pro-LGBT video competition, Lee said: “We both believe in making a stand that it is not wrong to be in the LGBT community.

“The LGBT community should not be segmented and that they should not fear,” Lee said.

According to Lee, there’s already some “small threats” made towards them for holding the competition.

“We just hope no one gets hurt as this was made with good intentions,” he said.

Lee also denied that the competition is held in response to a video competition organised by the Health Ministry.

“This is not a retaliation, We’re just voicing out our stand on the matter. When mentioned I said ‘they shouldn’t fear’ I’m referring to the LGBT community, because we live in a country that has declared LGBT as haram,” he said.

The ministry has denied that its National Creative Video Competition on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health is discriminatory and promotes hatred and violence towards minority groups.

When asked about who would judge the videos, Lee said they are in the midst of choosing judges.

“We are still choosing our judges who are LGBT Activist,” said Lee.

When asked about their why the top prize is USD$1001 (RM4,296.26), Lee said that it is a satirical approach to another video competition on ‘Anti-LGBT’ which offers a grand prize of USD$1,000.

He was likely referring to the Health Ministry’s video competition.

Seksualiti Merdeka co-founder Pang Khee Teik said the competition acts as a move for Malaysians to come together to provide a platform to those who are being marginalised.

“State owned media are often instructed not to give a platform to LGBT community, even while they consistently use it to put us in a negative light.

“Malaysians are creative and caring. This video competition will hopefully bring out the best in Malaysians,” said Pang.

Grim Film is a production company which have attracted international viewers on Youtube with their short films and videos while Jason used to be a medical professional before becoming a comedian. – June 7, 2017.