 |
| Cannes Film Festival 2025: ‘Bleat!’ Becomes Malaysia’s First Short to Win Queer Palm Award! |
And just like that, Malaysia’s name is ringing out at Cannes — loud, proud, and with a pregnant goat in tow.
The quirky yet heartfelt short film “Bleat! (கத்து!)” has just nabbed the Queer Palm Award in the short film category at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, making it the first-ever Malaysian short to walk away with the prestigious honour. A massive moment not just for local cinema, but for Southeast Asian queer storytelling at large.
Directed and written by Malaysian filmmaker Ananth Subramaniam, “Bleat!” had already turned heads last month when it became the first Malaysian short selected for the Critics’ Week section — a major feat on its own. But now, it’s gone one better, winning the hearts (and votes) of the Queer Palm jury with its delightfully oddball and deeply poignant story.
 |
So, what’s “Bleat!” about? Picture this: an elderly Malaysian-Tamil couple living in a quiet village preparing for a traditional ritual. Their goat — a male, or so they thought — is meant for ceremonial slaughter. But then, plot twist… the goat turns out to be pregnant. Cue confusion, panic, and an existential tussle between belief, biology, and blind tradition.
But don’t be fooled — this isn’t just some village comedy about livestock. “Bleat!” is layered, tackling themes of queerness, gender norms, ritual, and resistance in the most unexpected of ways. It’s the sort of short that makes you laugh one second and sit with a lump in your throat the next.
Accepting the award on 24 May at the festival’s closing ceremony, Ananth gave a powerful and poetic speech that had the room holding its breath.
 |
“There are some in the older generation who are so oblivious to change,” he said. “Even when the change hits them right in the face, they feel the need to ignore it. But tonight, in this space, among you, I feel the opposite. I feel seen. I feel our stories are being heard, our truths acknowledged, and our joys celebrated.”
He went on to reflect on how the film was born:
“Bleat! was born out of defiance, but it grew in tenderness. It’s a film about the voice that breaks the silence, even when it trembles. About bodies that don’t conform but still dance. About queerness not just as identity, but as resistance and reinvention.”
He closed with a message that landed with a punch:
“To the Queer Palm jury — thank you for holding space for films that don’t ask for permission. And to the older generation, may you someday listen, not to correct, but to understand.”
 |
The audience — both in Cannes and online — was clearly moved. Social media flooded with praise from all corners of the globe, with Malaysian netizens in particular bursting with pride. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote:
“Never thought I’d cry over a goat, but here we are. Congrats, Ananth. Malaysia boleh, queer stories boleh!”
Another added:
“‘Bleat!’ is what happens when you give space to underrepresented voices. Tender, powerful, and funny in the most unexpected ways. Deserved win!”
The Queer Palm, for the uninitiated, is an independent prize handed out during the Cannes Film Festival to films that centre LGBTQ+ themes or push the envelope in terms of representation. While it’s not one of the fest’s official trophies, it’s widely respected — and often an indicator of a project that will go on to make waves globally.
For Ananth Subramaniam and the “Bleat!” crew, this is more than just an award — it’s a statement. A reminder that Southeast Asian cinema can be bold, bizarre, and brave all at once. That queer storytelling doesn’t have to look or sound like what the West expects. And that even a short film about a very confused goat can carry seismic weight.
Here’s hoping “Bleat!” gets picked up by more international festivals and streaming platforms soon — because trust us, you’ll want to witness this one.
Congrats again to the whole team. May this be the first of many