The Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards are presented annually to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Burmese Film Industry of Myanmar. The awards ceremony has been held annually since 1952. Each winner is presented with a golden statue and in recent years also a cash prize.
History The awards were first introduced in 1952, and the ceremony has been held annually since 1952 (apart from 1963, 1986, 1987, and 1988). In the first awards ceremony, only three kinds of awards (Best Film, Best Actor and Best Actress) were presented. In the beginning, second and third place prizes for Best Film category were also given. Over time the awards ceremony has expanded significantly; in 1954, a Best Director award was introduced with the second and third place prizes for Best Film being removed in 1955. In 1955, first Special Award for Best Child Artist was awarded. In 1956 a Best Cinematography award was created, and in 1962, Best Supporting Actor and Actress awards were also introduced. In 1990, the number of awards reached 10 with the addition of Best Screenplay, Best Music and Best Sound awards. The awards have topped out at 11 with the addition of a Best Editing award. In 2017, Myanmar Academy Awards introduced the Lifetime Achievement Award category.
Adding to the unpredictability of the awards ceremony are prizes given to Special Awards some years and the duplication of awards when the judging panel cannot decide who should win. And of course, sometimes awards are simply not awarded if it is decided that no person is worthy.
The first film to win the Best Picture award was Chit Thet Wai (Dear Thet Wai) in 1952. The best director award was first given to U Thukha for his Aww Main Ma (Oh, women!), a comic drama. Actor Kyaw Win won the first best actor award in Marlaryi with Kyi Kyi Htay winning Best Actress for her performance in Chit Thet Wai (Dear Thet Wai).
As of 2017, there are total of 13 awards.
Best Picture Best Director Best Screenplay Best Actor Best Actress Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actress Best Music Best Cinematography Best Film Editing Best Sound Special Award Lifetime Achievement Award
List of Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards 1999 Best Film - Father's Place (Thiha Zaw Film Production) Best Director - Khin Maung Oo & Soe Thein Htut (Father's Place) Best Actor - Lwin Moe (Winter in the heart) Best Actress - Htun Eaindra Bo (Hnaung Ta Myae Myae) Best Supporting Actor - Htun Htun Win (Hnaung Htone Phwae Metta) Best Supporting Actress - Myat Kathy Aung (Winter in the Heart) Special Award - Ei Phyu Soe (Winter in the Heart)
2000 Best Actor - Thiha Tin Soe (Hell man) Best Actress - Myo Thandar Tun (Blade on the Lips)
2001 Best Actor - Lwin Moe (Born of a flower) Best Actor - Min Maw Kun (Nha Lone Hla Lu Mike) Best Actress - May Than Nu (Else other side of love) Best Actress - Htet Htet Moe Oo (Tha Mee Mite)
2002 Best Actor - Lu Min (Golden bling of sky) Best Actress - Khin Zar Chi Kyaw (Ngar, Thu Ta Bar, Youk Kyar, Main Ma)
2003 Best Actor - Kyaw Hein (Sun borns Moon) Best Actress - Htun Eaindra Bo (A Mae Noe Boe)
2004 Best Actor - Lwin Moe (Once Nights of Ayeyarwaddy) Best Actress - Eaindra Kyaw Zin (Myet Nar Myer Dae Moe Kaung Kin)
2005 Best Actor - Lu Min (King Kyan Sitt) Best Actress - Htun Eaindra Bo (Moe Kot Set Wine Ko Kyaw Lon Ywae)
2006 Best Actor - Yan Aung (Dignity of Extreme love) Best Actress - Nandar Hlaing (Loyalty of Taungsaman)
2007 Best Actor - Kyaw Ye Aung (Ninety times of love) Leading Actress (Not awarded)
2008 Khant Si Thu (A myar nae ma thet sai thaw thu) Moh Moh Myint Aung (Myint Mo Htet Ka Tarafu)
2009 Nay Toe (Moe Nya Eain Met Myu) Leading Actress (not awarded)
2010
Best Actor - Pyay Ti Oo (Adam Eva Dassa) Best Actress - Thet Mon Myint (Adam Eva Dassa)
2011 Best Actor - Naung Naung (Eternal rays of light) Best Actress - Melody (Eternal rays of light)
2012 Pyay Ti Oo (Lat Pan) Phway Phway (Lat Pan)
2013 Best Actor: Pyay Ti Oo (As you like) Best Actress: Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi (As you like)
2014 Best Film: Phyo Yadanar Thwal (Goodmanner exist in mind) Best Leading Actor: Pyay Ti Oo (Made in Heart) Best Leading Actress: Khine Thin Kyi (Goodmanner exist in mind) Best Supporting Actor: Zin Wine (Made in Heart) Best Supporting Actress: Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi (Made in Heart) Best Screenplay: Zaw Myint Oo (Goodmanner exist in mind) Best Cinematography: Toe win, Pyi Soe (Endless love) Best Music: Khin Maung Gyi (Goodmanner exist in mind) Best Edit: Thaw Zin (Goodmanner exist in mind) Best Sound: Kyi Min Thein (Guile Project)
2015 Best Director: Wyne (I'm Rose, Darling) Best Leading Actor: Nay Toe (Wrong Nat Khet of Battle) Best Leading Actress: Phway Phway (I'm Rose, Darling) Best Supporting Actor: Bay Lu Wa (Is This Called Love?) Best Supporting Actress: Goon Pone (Is This Called Love?) Best Music: Hla San Oo (Dear Wife) Best Edit: Zaw Min Han-Thar-Myay (Love House 2028) Best Cinematography: Zaw Myint (Salves of Cupid)
2016 Best Film: Oak Kyar Myet Pauk Best Director: Nyunt Myanmar Nyi Nyi Aung (Oak Kyar Myet Pauk) Best Leading Actor: Tun Tun (Oak Kyar Myet Pauk) Best Leading Actress: Thet Mon Myint (Lovely Hate) Best Supporting Actor: Lu Min (Professor Dr. Sate Phwar II) Best Cinematography: Maung Myint, Aye Min, Ah Ngae Lay (Luu Yadanar Treasure) Best Music: Diramore (Luu Yadanar Treasure) Best Sound: Kyi Min Thein (Mhaw Kyauk Sar) Best Editor: Nyan Wint (Angel of Eden) Special award: The Jade World from Manaw Land
2017 Best Film: Nay Chi Hmar Shwe Yi Laung Best Director: Sin Yaw Mg Mg (Eternal Mother) Best Leading Actor: Nay Toe (Tar Tay Gyi) Best Leading Actress: Eaindra Kyaw Zin (Knife in the Chest) Best Supporting Actor: Myint Myat (Kyun) Best Supporting Actress: Paing Phyo Thu (3Girls) Best Cinematography: Kyauk Phyu Ba-day-thar (3Girls) Best Music: Piano Tin Win Hlaing (Kun Lone Days 40) Best Sound: Thein Aung (Eternal Mother) Best Edit: O Win (Eternal Mother) Best Screenplay: Wyne (Yin Bek Htae Ka Dar) Lifetime Achievement: U Tint Aung (Bo Ga Lay)
2018 Award Recipient Film Ref. Best Film Shwe Kyar Best Director Aww Ratha Clinging with Hate Best Leading Actor Thu Htoo San Weretiger Best Leading Actress Phway Phway Shwe Kyar Best Supporting Actor Kyaw Kyaw Bo Clinging with Hate Best Supporting Actress Aye Myat Thu Naung Dwin Oo Dan Twin Zay Dee Best Screenplay Wyne Shwe Kyar Best Music Shalom M. Reynor Dimensions Best Cinematography Win Lwin Htet Clinging with Hate Best Editing Kyaw Khaing Soe Shwe Kyar
2023 Award 2019 2020 2022 Recipient Film Ref. Recipient Film Ref. Recipient Film Ref. Best Film — Padauk Musical Way Ma Nay Chin Bu Best Director — Mee Pwar Padauk Musical — Best Actor Myint Myat Yoma Paw Kya Tae Myet Yay Sai Sai Kham Leng Padauk Musical Pyay Ti Oo The Butterfly Trap Best Actress Eaindra Kyaw Zin Hit Tine Soe Pyae Thazin Golden Princess Shwe Hmone Yati Way Ma Nay Chin Bu Best Supporting Actor Shwe Htoo Dan Dar Yee Moe Ohn Thee Thaung Tike Ka Kyar Say Thar — Best Supporting Actress Khin Wint Wah Palpitation in the Breeze May Thinzar Oo Golden Princess — Best Screenplay Maung Myat Swe Responsible Citizen — — Best Music Kyaw Kyaw Htun The Milk Ogre Aung Ko Latt Gandaba: Strings of a Broken Harp — Best Cinematography Arkar Toe Dan Dar Yee Moe Phyo Kyaw Padauk Musical — Best Editing G3, Kyaw Khine Soe 1014 — Kyi Thar The Butterfly Trap
2024 Award Recipient Film Ref. Best Film Kan Kaung Best Director Tin Aung Soe A Red Blanket Best Leading Actor Yan Aung A Red Blanket Best Leading Actress Soe Myat Thuzar Never Give Up Best Supporting Actor Nay Win Yee Ywae Moe Best Supporting Actress May Myint Mo Mone Khwint Best Screenplay Nyo Min Lwin The Teacher Best Music Kaung Set Paing Kan Kaung Best Cinematography Win Lwin Htet Kan Kaung Best Editing —
2025
Award Recipient Film Ref. Lifetime Achievement Award Khin Lay Swe Htay Aung (Swe Burma) Kyi Soe Htun Best Actor Myint Myat Myay Sar (The Downtrodden) Best Actress Yadanar Bo Mg Mi Pha Yar (I want to be your queen) Best Actor in Supporting role Nay Myo Aung Myit Latt Tat Pay Malt Yay See Ka Kyan Tal (Tributary) Best Actress in Supporting roleKhine Hnin Wai Mg Mi Pha Yar (I want to be your queen) Best Movie - Pann Myine Lal Ma Ou Yin Hmuu (Gardener) Best Director Aww Ya Tha Byaw Than (The Sound of Ceremonial Overture) Best Script Mal Min Bone Mg Mi Pha Yar (I want to be your queen)
Records Most awards to a single film Htar Wa Ra A Linn Tan Myar(Eternal Rays of Light, 2011) = 8 Ngar Thu Ta Bar Yauk Kyar Mein Ma(Me, Another, Men, Women, 2002) = 7 A Mayh Noh Boe(Value of Mother's Milk, 2003) = 7 Mystery of Snow(2004) = 7 Taik Pwel Khaw Than(The Sound of War, 1995) = 5 Myint Myat Hna Lon Thar(Noble Heart, 1997) = 5 Hna Lon Hla Lu Mike(Good-Hearted Stupid Person, 2001) = 5 Hsan Yay(Upstream, 2002) = 5 Koe Sal Sah Thar Lein Mal(Ninety Times More Superior, 2007) = 5 Pin Lal Htet Ka Nay Won Ni(The Red Sun at Above of Sea, 2010) = 5 Kaung Kyoe Ko Hnite Ti Say Min(Keep Good Benefits at Your Body, 2014) = 5
Most awards won by a male Thukha = 8(Best Director (6), Best Picture (2)) Nyunt Win = 7(Best Actor (3), Best Supporting Actor (4)) Yan Aung = 7(Best Actor (7)) Than Nyunt (Pan Thar) = 6(Best Cinematography (6)) Zaw Min (Han Thar Myay) = 6(Best Film Editing (6)) Zin Yaw Maung Maung = 6(Best Picture (3), Best Director (3)) Maung Tin Oo = 5(Best Director (5)) Kyaw Hein = 5(Best Actor (4), Best Supporting Actor (1)) Kyi Soe Tun = 5(Best Director (4), Best Screenplay (1)) Ko Ko Htay = 5(Best Cinematography (5)) Pyay Ti Oo = 5(Best Actor (5)) Chit Min Lu = 4 (Best Cinematography (4)) Lu Min = 4(Best Actor (2), Best Picture (1), Best Supporting Actor (1)) Kyauk Phyu (Pa Dy Thar) = 4(Best Cinematography (4)) Wyne (Own Creator) = 4(Best Director (2), Best Screenplay (2))
Most awards won by a female Myint Myint Khin = 6(Best Actress (3), Best Supporting Actress (2), Lifetime Achievement (1) ) May Than Nu = 5(Best Actress (4), Best Supporting Actress (1)) Moh Moh Myint Aung = 5(Best Actress (4), Best Supporting Actress (1)) Kyi Kyi Htay = 4(Best Actress (2), Best Supporting Actress (2)) Cho Pyone = 4(Best Actress (2), Best Supporting Actress (2))
Most awards for Best Director Thukha = 6 Maung Tin Oo = 5 Kyi Soe Tun= 4 Zin Yaw Maung Maung = 3
Most awards for Best Actor Yan Aung = 7 Kyaw Hein = 5 Pyay Ti Oo = 5 Nyunt Win = 3 Lwin Moe = 3 Nay Toe = 3
Most awards for Best Actress May Than Nu = 4 Moh Moh Myint Aung = 4 Myint Myint Khin = 3 Wah Wah Win Shwe = 3 Khin Thidar Htun = 3 Htun Eaindra Bo = 3 Phway Phway = 3 Eaindra Kyaw Zin = 3
Most awards for Best Supporting Actor Nyunt Win = 4 Kyauk Lon = 3 Bo Ba Ko = 2 Zaw Lin = 2 Nay Aung = 2 Zin Wyne = 2
Most awards for Best Supporting Actress Kyi Kyi Htay = 2 Aye Aye Thin = 2 May Nwet = 2 Myint Myint Khin = 2 Myint Myint Khaing = 2 Cho Pyone = 2 Soe Myat Nandar = 2 Myat Kay Thi Aung = 2 May Thinzar Oo = 3
Most awards for Best Screenplay Nyein Min = 3 Zaw Myint Oo = 2 Wyne (Own Creator) = 2
Most awards for Music Gita Lulin Maung Ko Ko = 3 Zaw Myo Htut = 3 Khin Maung Gyi = 3
Most awards for Best Cinematography Than Nyunt (Pan Thar) = 6 Ko Ko Htay = 5 Chit Min Lu = 4 Kyauk Phyu (Pa Dy Thar) = 4 San Maung = 3
Most awards for Best Sound San Oo = 2 Kyi Min Thein = 2
Most awards for Best Film Editing Zaw Min (Han Thar Myay) = 6 U Myint Khaing = 3
Significance