Syafiq Yusof

{{short description|Malaysian filmmaker and visual effects artist (born 1992)}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Syafiq Yusof

| native_name = {{lang|ms|{{Script|Arab|شفيق يوسف}}}}

| birth_name = Mohd Syafiq bin Mohd Yusof

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|12|7}}

| birth_place = Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

| occupation = Film director, screenwriter, producer, actor

| years_active = 2008–present

| spouse = {{marriage|Aisyeah Zainal|2014}}

| children = 3

| father = Yusof Haslam

| mother = Fatimah Ismail

| relatives = Syamsul Yusof (brother)

}}

Mohd Syafiq bin Mohd Yusof (born 7 December 1992) is a Malaysian filmmaker and visual effects artist. He is a younger brother of actor Syamsul Yusof and son of veteran actor Yusof Haslam. Initially began his career by making short films, his directorial debut, SAM: Saya Amat Mencintaimu was released in 2012. Since then, he directed seven notable films, all of which became commercial successes.

Early life

Syafiq Yusof was born on 7 December 1992 in Kuala Lumpur. He hails from a family of filmmakers and actors. His older brother, Syamsul is an actor and film director who is well-known for directing horror film series Munafik and Munafik 2, as well as Mat Kilau (film), the latter of which currently ranks as the highest-grossing Malaysian made film.[https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2022/08/11/with-nearly-rm100-million-in-the-collection-bag-mat-kilau-heads-to-indonesia] His cousins Rizal Ashreff, Sabrina Ali, Aliff Ali and Miller Khan are also actors. His father is a veteran actor turned film director cum producer, Yusof Haslam.

Career

Hailing from the well-known Yusof family, Syafiq began his filmmaking career by making short films. SAM: Saya Amat Mencintaimu, his feature film directorial debut, starring Shaheizy Sam and Lisa Surihani, was released on 19 August 2012 during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.Wahiduzzaman (23 Ogos 2012). [http://www.mstar.com.my/hiburan/wayang/2012/08/23/eksperimen-syafiq-yusof-menjadi-dalam-sam/ Eksperimen Syafiq Yusof Menjadi Dalam 'SAM'] mStar. Diperoleh pada 1 September 2012. Also in the same year, he and his cousin, Rizal Ashreff co-directed Evolusi KL Drift: The Series, a TV series adaptation from 2008 film, Evolusi KL Drift directed by his brother, Syamsul Yusof, who reprised his role in the TV series.Wartawan Sinar Harian (22 September 2012). [http://www.sinarharian.com.my/2-pengarah-muda-arah-drama-bersiri-skop-productions-1.87482 2 pengarah muda arah drama bersiri Skop Productions] Sinar Harian. Retrieved on 24 March 2018.

On 11 January 2013, Syafiq and his two business partners set-up Viper Studios which specializes in film production, visual effects, post-production, and animation, where he served as the Chief Executive Officer.{{cite news|url=http://viperstudios.com.my/?page_id=6|title=Viper Studios: About Us|publisher=Viper Studios|access-date=14 April 2018}}

A year later, he directed Abang Long Fadil, a spin-off from 2011 film, KL Gangster, one of its main star, Zizan Razak reprising his role as Fadil.{{cite news|url=http://www.mstar.com.my/hiburan/wayang/2014/06/02/abang-long-fadil/|title=Abang Long Fadil berpaksikan dunia gengsterisme|author=Feride Hikmet Atak|publisher=mStar Online|date=10 June 2014|access-date=9 April 2018}} The film was released in May 2014 to popular success. His third movie, a horror documentary film entitled Villa Nabila was released in January 2015, starring Pekin Ibrahim and Tisha Shamsir, which is based on the 2013 eponymous bungalow incident.{{cite news|url=http://www.sinarharian.com.my/hiburan/villa-nabila-dari-kisah-sebenar-ke-layar-perak-1.349351|title=Villa Nabila: Dari kisah sebenar ke layar perak|author=Raziatul Hanum A. Rajak|work=Sinar Harian|date=10 January 2015|access-date=24 March 2018}}

Syafiq subsequently directed his fifth film which began principal photography on 13 November 2014 in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.{{cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/12/195686/mind-boggling-desolasi-takes-local-cgi-films-staggering-new-heights|title=Mind-boggling Desolasi takes local CGI films staggering new heights|author=Bibi Nurshuhada Ramli|publisher=New Straits Times|date=9 December 2016|access-date=24 March 2018}} Released on 8 December 2016, a mystery science fiction Desolasi starring his brother Syamsul as Aiman, a visual artist who deals with never-ending problems starts to wonder the judgment given by God which brings him to stuck in another dimension leading him being fully alone until he starts meeting a mysterious woman named Maya. For this film, he utilized the Anton-Babinski syndrome metaphor as a subject into the storyline{{cite news|url=http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/01/122852/syafiq-yusof-directs-elder-brother-syamsul-desolasi|title=Syafiq Yusof directs elder brother Syamsul in Desolasi|author=Dennis Chua|publisher=New Straits Times|date=18 January 2016|access-date=24 March 2018}} and using special effects to blanking the city of Kuala Lumpur.{{cite news|url=http://www.star2.com/entertainment/movies/movie-news/2016/12/06/how-did-syafiq-yusof-make-everyone-in-kl-disappear-for-desolasi/|title=How did Syafiq Yusof empty the streets of KL for Desolasi?|author=Angelin Yeoh|publisher=Star2|date=6 December 2016|access-date=24 March 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.hmetro.com.my/node/178569|title=Syafiq 'kosong' lokasi sibuk KL|author=Syafil Syazwan Jefri|publisher=Harian Metro|date=2 November 2016|access-date=24 March 2016}} It also stars Jalaluddin Hassan, Pekin Ibrahim, and Bella Dally.{{cite news|url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/187426|title=Minda celaru mencari jawapan|author=Syanty Octavia Amry|publisher=Harian Metro|date=7 December 2016|access-date=24 March 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/12/195689/league-its-own-desolasi-represents-new-direction-msian-films-banking-cgi|title=In a league of its own: Desolasi represents a new direction for M'sian films, banking on CGI|author=Bibi Nurshuhada Ramli|publisher=New Straits Times|date=9 December 2016|access-date=9 April 2018}}

His seventh film, Abang Long Fadil 2 was released on 24 August 2017. With a budget estimated RM 3.2 million, the film earns highest grossed more than RM 18.15 million,{{cite web |url=http://www.tabloidseni.com/#!Filem-‘Abang-Long-Fadil-2’-bakal-jalani-penggambaran-50-hari-kos-RM32-juta/skiwm/5650c5660cf2baa4d50a1fcd |title= Filem 'Abang Long Fadil 2' bakal jalani penggambaran 50 hari, kos RM3.2 juta|access-date=2016-04-11 |author=Akmal Abdullah |date= 22 November 2015|language= ms|publisher=Tabloidseni.com }} behind Munafik directed by his brother, which grossed RM 17.04 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.star2.com/entertainment/movies/movie-news/2016/03/10/munafik-successfully-haunts-the-cinemas/|title=Malaysian horror flick Munafik set to scare other films off|author=Mumtaj Begum|publisher=Star2|date=10 March 2016 |access-date=16 April 2017 }}

On 8 March 2018, his action film KL Special Force was released, starring Rosyam Nor, Fattah Amin and his brother, who played Asyraf, a leader of the Anarchy Gang (Geng Anarkis).{{cite news|url=http://www.rojakdaily.com/entertainment/article/696/kl-special-force-filem-aksi-setanding-hollywood|title=KL Special Force Filem Aksi Setanding Hollywood|author=Elrafaei Sapi|date=16 August 2016|access-date=7 March 2018|publisher=Rojak Daily}} The film sets up new record in Malaysian film industry by garnering highest box office grossing more than RM12.1 million and received mixed positive reviews from film critics.{{cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2018/04/353201/showbiz-kl-special-force-powers-rm121-million-collection|title=#Showbiz: KL Special Force powers on RM12.1 million collection|author=Dennis Chua|date=4 April 2018|access-date=7 April 2018|publisher=New Straits Times}}

His latest effort, a psychological horror Misteri Dilaila was released on 21 February 2019. Principal photography took place in Fraser's Hill, Pahang; the film was starring Zul Ariffin, Elizabeth Tan, Rosyam Nor, Namron, Sasqia Dahuri and others.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thesundaily.my/style-life/entertainment/playing-mind-games-JE521029|title=Playing mind games|author=Bissme S.|work=The Sun (Malaysia)|language=en|access-date=14 February 2019}}

It was announced in September 2019 that he would be directing the third sequel of Polis Evo with Shaheizy Sam and Zizan Razak reprising their respective roles.Amri Hassan (25 September 2019). [http://www.gempak.com/artikel/25021/Polis-Evo-3-Bakal-Shoot-Tak-Lama-Lagi-Peminat "Polis EVO 3 bakal shoot tidak lama lagi" - Peminat teruja tunggu kemunculan Zizan dan Sam] Astro Gempak. Dicapai pada 3 December 2019.

Personal life

Syafiq married with his long-time girlfriend, Aisyeah Zainal on 5 April 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.sinarharian.com.my/mobile/hiburan/majlis-resepsi-sederhana-tapi-meriah-1.272397|title=Majlis resepsi sederhana tapi meriah|date=20 April 2014|publisher=Sinar Harian|author=Hanan Mansor|access-date=21 April 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.mediahiburan.my/trending/syafiq-yusof-kini-suami-aeisha-1.267459|title=SYAFIQ YUSOF KINI SUAMI AEISHA|date=5 April 2014|publisher=Media Hiburan|access-date=21 April 2014}} The couple have three children, namely two daughters – Nuur Jannah (born 2016),{{cite news|url=http://www.rotikaya.com/syafiq-yusof-isteri-selamat-timang-cahaya-mata-pertama/|title=Syafiq Yusof, Isteri Selamat Timang Cahaya Mata Pertama|date=1 January 2016|publisher=Rotikaya|access-date=2 January 2016}} Nuur Nusaybah (born 2018){{cite news|url=http://www.sinarharian.com.my/hiburan/syafiq-yusof-timang-anak-kedua-1.793864|title=Syafiq Yusof timang anak kedua|date=5 February 2018|publisher=Sinar Harian|author=Norhidayyu Zainal|access-date=7 February 2018}} and a son - Muhamad Nu'Aiman (born 2023).{{cite news|url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/rap/2023/02/933832/syafiq-yusof-dapat-anak-ketiga|title=Syafiq Yusof dapat anak ketiga|publisher=Harian Metro|date=8 February 2023|accessdate=9 February 2023}}

Filmography

=Film=

class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2"\|Year ! rowspan="2"\|Title ! colspan="3"\|Credited as ! rowspan="2"\|Notes
width="65"\|Director ! width="65"\|Writer ! width="65"\|Producer
rowspan="4"\|2010 ! Abangku Gengster \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| {{na}} \| rowspan="3"\|Short film
Hantu Takde Kepala \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| {{na}}
Abangku Gengster II \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| {{na}}
Lorong \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| {{ya}} \| Short film; also as editor and Director of Photography
2011 ! Along \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| Short film
2012 ! SAM: Saya Amat Mencintaimu \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| Directorial debut, also as editor
2014 ! Abang Long Fadil \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| Also as editor
2015 ! Villa Nabila \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| {{ya}} \| Documentary film
rowspan="2"\|2016 ! Mat Moto \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| {{ya}} \| Co-directed with Pekin Ibrahim
Desolasi \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| Also as editor
2017 ! Abang Long Fadil 2 \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| Also as editor
2018 ! KL Special Force \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| Also as editor
rowspan="2"\|2019 ! Misteri Dilaila \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \|
Rise to Power: KLGU \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| {{na}} \| Web film, co-directed with Faisal Ishak
2022 ! Abang Long Fadil 3 \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| Also an editor
rowspan="2"\|2023 ! Polis Evo 3 \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| {{na}} \| Also as visual effects artist
Budak Flat \| {{na}} \| {{na}} \| {{na}} \| Web film, as supervising director
2024 ! Sheriff: Narko Integriti \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| Also as editor with Nazifdin Nasrudin
rowspan="2" \|2025 ! Soloz: Game of Life \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \|
Blood Brothers \| {{ya}} \| {{yes\|Story}} \| {{na}} \| Co-directed with Abhilash Chandra

class="wikitable"

! rowspan="2"|Year

! rowspan="2"|Title

! colspan="3"|Credited as

! rowspan="2"|Notes

width="65"|Director

! width="65"|Writer

! width="65"|Producer

rowspan="4"|2010

! Abangku Gengster

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| rowspan="3"|Short film

Hantu Takde Kepala

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

Abangku Gengster II

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

Lorong

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| {{ya}}

| Short film; also as editor and Director of Photography

2011

! Along

| {{ya}}

| Short film

2012

! SAM: Saya Amat Mencintaimu

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| Directorial debut, also as editor

2014

! Abang Long Fadil

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| Also as editor

2015

! Villa Nabila

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| {{ya}}

| Documentary film

rowspan="2"|2016

! Mat Moto

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| {{ya}}

| Co-directed with Pekin Ibrahim

Desolasi

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| Also as editor

2017

! Abang Long Fadil 2

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| Also as editor

2018

! KL Special Force

| {{ya}}

| Also as editor

rowspan="2"|2019

! Misteri Dilaila

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

Rise to Power: KLGU

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| Web film, co-directed with Faisal Ishak

2022

! Abang Long Fadil 3

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| Also an editor

rowspan="2"|2023

! Polis Evo 3

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| Also as visual effects artist

Budak Flat

| {{na}}

| Web film, as supervising director

2024

! Sheriff: Narko Integriti

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| Also as editor with Nazifdin Nasrudin

rowspan="2" |2025

! Soloz: Game of Life

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

Blood Brothers

| {{ya}}

| {{yes|Story}}

| {{na}}

| Co-directed with Abhilash Chandra

=Television movie=

class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2"\|Year ! rowspan="2"\|Title ! colspan="2"\|Credited as ! rowspan="2"\|Notes
width="65"\|Director ! width="65"\|Producer
rowspan="2"\|2021 ! Penunggang Agama \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| script by Nazri M Annuar
Penunggang Agama 2 \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| script by Nazri M Annuar
2024 ! Telekinesis \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| script by Nazifdin Nasrudin / Also as a editor

class="wikitable"

! rowspan="2"|Year

! rowspan="2"|Title

! colspan="2"|Credited as

! rowspan="2"|Notes

width="65"|Director

! width="65"|Producer

rowspan="2"|2021

! Penunggang Agama

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| script by Nazri M Annuar

Penunggang Agama 2

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| script by Nazri M Annuar

2024

! Telekinesis

| {{ya}}

| script by Nazifdin Nasrudin / Also as a editor

=Television series=

class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2"\|Year ! rowspan="2"\|Title ! colspan="2"\|Credited as ! rowspan="2"\|Notes
width="65"\|Director ! width="65"\|Producer
2008–2013 \| Roda-Roda Kuala Lumpur \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| Direct only few episode, also actor
2009–2011, 2014–2021 \| Gerak Khas \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| 2009–2011 - direct only few episode, 2014–2021 - as co-producer
2012–2013 \| Evolusi KL Drift: The Series \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| Also actor as Daniel, co-director with Rizal Ashraff
2015 \| Cinta Dari Marikh \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| Also actor as Adam
2018 \| KL Gangster: Underworld \| {{na}} \| {{ya}} \|
2020 \| KL Gangster: Underworld 2 \| {{na}} \| {{ya}} \|
2021–2022 \| Gerak Khas Undercover \| {{ya}} \| {{ya}} \| Also as co-director and co-producer
2023 \| Special Force: Anarchy \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \|
2024–2025 \| Polis Peronda \| {{ya}} \| {{na}} \| Also as co-director

class="wikitable"

! rowspan="2"|Year

! rowspan="2"|Title

! colspan="2"|Credited as

! rowspan="2"|Notes

width="65"|Director

! width="65"|Producer

2008–2013

| Roda-Roda Kuala Lumpur

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| Direct only few episode, also actor

2009–2011, 2014–2021

| Gerak Khas

| {{ya}}

| 2009–2011 - direct only few episode, 2014–2021 - as co-producer

2012–2013

| Evolusi KL Drift: The Series

| {{ya}}

| Also actor as Daniel, co-director with Rizal Ashraff

2015

| Cinta Dari Marikh

| {{ya}}

| Also actor as Adam

2018

| KL Gangster: Underworld

| {{na}}

| {{ya}}

2020

| KL Gangster: Underworld 2

| {{na}}

| {{ya}}

2021–2022

| Gerak Khas Undercover

| {{ya}}

| Also as co-director and co-producer

2023

| Special Force: Anarchy

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

2024–2025

| Polis Peronda

| {{ya}}

| {{na}}

| Also as co-director

=Music video=

class="wikitable"

! Year

! Title

! Artist

! Director

rowspan="3"|2012

| "Nyawaku"

| DJ Dave

| {{ya}}

"Sempurnakan Aku"

| rowspan="2"|Anuar Zain

| {{ya}}

"Ajari Aku"

| {{ya}}

2013

| "Jalan Bersimpang"

| Filsuf and Sleeq

| {{ya}}

2014

| "Cobaan"

| Zizan Razak

| {{ya}}

rowspan="2"|2016

| "Kalah Dalam Menang"

| rowspan="2"|Syamsul Yusof and Mawi

| {{ya}}

"Bukan Propaganda"

| {{ya}}

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable"

! Year

! Award

! Recipient

! Nominated works

! Category

! Result

! {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

rowspan="3" |2013

| rowspan="3" |25th Malaysian Film Festival

| rowspan="9" |Syafiq Yusof

| rowspan="3" |SAM

| Best Director

| {{nom}}

Best Editing

| {{nom}}

Most Promising Director

| {{won}}

| {{cite news|url=http://www.sinarharian.com.my/hiburan/syafiq-julang-trofi-pengarah-harapan-1.135505|title=Syafiq julang trofi Pengarah Harapan|work=Sinar Harian|date=1 March 2013|author=Nurezzatul Aqmar Mustaza|access-date=11 April 2018}}

rowspan="2"|2017

| 2017 PROFIMA Awards

| Desolasi

| Best Director

| {{won}}

| {{cite news|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/hiburan/wayang/2017/11/347591/syafiq-yusof-menang-pengarah-terbaik-anugerah-profima|title=Syafiq Yusof menang Pengarah Terbaik Anugerah PROFIMA|date=7 November 2017|publisher=Berita Harian|author=Muhamad Fairoz Azizan|access-date=7 February 2018}}

29th Malaysian Film Festival

| Abang Long Fadil 2

| Box Office Film

| {{won}}

| {{cite news|url=https://www.star2.com/entertainment/2017/12/30/year-champions-director-syafiq-yusof-success-abang-long-fadil-2/|title=Year of Champions: Director Syafiq Yusof and his success with 'Abang Long Fadil 2'|date=30 December 2017|publisher=Star2|author=Angelin Yeoh|access-date=14 April 2018}}

2019

|31st Malaysian Film Festival

|Misteri Dilaila

| Best Editing

| {{nom}}

rowspan="3" |2022

| rowspan="3" |32nd Malaysian Film Festival

| rowspan="3" |Abang Long Fadil 3

| Best Director

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="3" |

Best Screenplay