When Iskander Azizuddin, 41, entered INTI College Nilai in 2001, he never imagined that campus life and group projects would shape his career as a filmmaker. Today, as co-founder of Feisk Productions Sdn Bhd, his works – Suraya, Kabus, The Screaming Sky (licensed by Netflix), and Bilik Tepi (licensed by Viu) – have carried Malaysian stories onto international platforms.
INTI College Nilai alumnus Iskander Azizuddin shares reflections from his student days.
Looking back, he admitted he wasn’t always the best student. “There was a group project where I underperformed and dragged my team’s grades down,” he said. “It taught me how important it is to be a good team member, and never to let your team down.” That lesson in accountability, together with the independence of living away from home for the first time, proved formative. “INTI taught me responsibility. It made me grow up.”
Iskander graduated with a Certificate in Information Technology in 2002, before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Computing, which he completed in 2006. In 2008, he co-founded Feisk Productions with his brother, director Feisal Azizuddin.
Their working relationship has always been lively. “We don’t always get along – he’s the realist, I’m more idealistic. But collaboration is about finding common ground. We argued a lot, but we agreed on a lot more things. That balance shaped Feisk’s strength.”
Dr. Jane Lim, Chief Executive of INTI International College Subang, presents a token of appreciation to filmmaker Iskander Azizuddin, with Mohd Khairul Irwan Mansor, Head of Programme and Senior Lecturer at the School of Business & Communication, who moderated the session
Their latest film, Angkat, was born from a moment of grief. On the way to their grandmother’s funeral in 2018, stuck in traffic inside a van jenazah, they asked: What if they never made it in time? That question sparked a dark comedy exploring cultural taboos around death. Developed through project markets in Busan, Singapore, and Laos before receiving support from FINAS, Angkat pushes boundaries in a way few local films attempt. “Some found it too sensitive, but that’s what storytelling should do – make people question, reflect, even feel uncomfortable,” Iskander explained. “It’s not about what you show on screen; it’s about how the audience feels while watching it.”
Seeing Feisk’s films licensed by Netflix and Viu was a milestone, but Iskander’s idea of success has since shifted. “At first, I thought streaming sites were the dream. But then I realised, what matters is the reach and impact. On YouTube, where it’s accessible to everyone everywhere, we’ve had 250,000 views. We realised that’s what matters – accessibility. Regardless of what goal you start with, it’s always okay to keep changing them.”
(From left) Actor Syazani Zikry, director Feisal Azizuddin, producer Iskander Azizuddin, and moderator Mohd Khairul Irwan Mansor, Head of Programme and Senior Lecturer at the School of Business & Communication, at the “ANGKAT by INTI Alumni: A Film Showcase and Forum.”
On 20 August, INTI International College Subang’s School of Business & Communication hosted a session with Iskander, Feisal, and actor Syazani Zikry. Students heard firsthand about the making of Angkat, the challenges of independent filmmaking, and the realities of telling Malaysian stories to a wider audience.
Returning to INTI carried meaning for Iskander. “INTI was where I grew up, through ups and downs. Being back here, sharing lessons with students, feels like giving back. Even if my words resonate with just a few, it matters.”
The showcase at the Tan Yew Sing Auditorium, INTI International College Subang, brought together SBC students and aspiring filmmakers.
He left them with a reminder shaped by his own experience: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Don’t wait for permission; create opportunities, tell the stories only you can tell, and let your unique voice be heard.”