KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Actor Beto Kusyairy will represent Malaysia at the 2026 Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA) Grand Gala Final in Singapore on Dec 3 after winning the national title for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Good Boys Go to Heaven.
According to a Facebook post by AACA, Beto was named the 2026 national winner in the category, earning him a place to compete for the coveted Golden Statuette at the gala final.
"Congratulations Beto Kusyairy! A distinguished performance in Good Boys Go to Heaven has earned Beto Kusyairy the 2026 national winner, Best Actor in a Leading Role," the post read.
Based on the National Winners list on AACA's official website, Beto will compete against Hunter Page-Lochard (Australia), Bai Yu (China), Raymond Wong Ho Yin (Hong Kong), Anil Kapoor (India), Angga Yunanda (Indonesia), Yuki Yamada (Japan), Vice Ganda (the Philippines), Ayden Sng (Singapore), Chang Hsiao Chuan (Taiwan) and Gemini Norawit Titicharoenrak (Thailand).
The drama series Good Boys Go to Heaven, produced by Astro Shaw, also emerged as Malaysia's national winner in the Best Drama Series, Best Cinematography (Fiction), Best Editing and Best Screenplay categories.
Meanwhile, actress Datin Sofia Jane was named the national winner in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category for the film Malam Terlarang, which also won in the Best Feature Film, Best Direction (Feature Film) and Best Promo or Trailer categories.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in this achievement, and all the best in competing at the ASEAN level to represent Malaysia,” Astro Shaw said in an Instagram post.
In the animation category, Papa Zola the Movie was named Malaysia's national winner for Best Animation.
Other Malaysian national winners listed on AACA's official website include Farihin Arnia for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Emma Maembong for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
The list also features Bad Cop, which won Best Adaptation of an Existing Format (Scripted), and Dapur Bapak-Bapak for Best Branded Programme.
Upin & Ipin: Wira Minyak Sawit won Best Children's Programme, while Kavin Jay's Nobody Asked secured the Best Comedy title. Setulus Takdir Fattah Amira won Best Direction (Non-Scripted).
Other winners include Kelas Belakang for Best Scripted, Majalah 3: Merintis Horizon for Best Documentary (One-off), Datuk Aznil Nawawi for Best Entertainment Host for Talk To My Manager, and Boey Leong for Best Factual Presenter.
Additional winning productions include Astro KUDADA (All Right! Kudada) CNY Countdown Gala 2026 for Best General Entertainment, Game or Quiz Programme, Jasmine Project Love Season 3 for Best Lifestyle Programme and Cinta Ori for Best Micro-Drama.
Astro Star Quest 2025 won Best Music or Dance Programme, while Talk To My Manager secured Best Non-Scripted Entertainment. Namamu Cinta was named the winner in Best Original Production by a Streamer, and Life in a Loop won Best Short Form.
The other national winners were Kerikil Depan Pintu for Best Single Drama, Berakhir Kita for Best Theme Song or Title Theme, and Sujud Terakhir Encik Norman for Best Visual or Special FX in a TV Series or Feature Film.
The AACA recognises excellence in television, film and digital content across the Asia-Pacific region.
The 2026 event will take place in Singapore on Dec 2 and 3, with the National Winners Conference scheduled for both days, followed by the Grand Awards Gala and red carpet at Capitol Theatre on Dec 3.
-- BERNAMA