Futuromic Photo AV Upholds Culture Preservation at the 15th Genting World Lion Dance Championship
From thunderous drumbeats to soaring acrobatic stunts, the 15th Genting World Lion Dance Championship roared to life once again at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting.
Held from 25th to 27th July 2025, the tournament gathered 40 elite teams from across the globe for three exhilarating days of high-pole artistry, cultural expression, and sporting excellence.
But beyond the stage, another vital force was at work – Futuromic Photo AV Sdn. Bhd., who returned for the third consecutive year as one of the event’s key sponsors, bringing in Nikon as imaging partner. Their presence was not only a corporate commitment but a cultural statement that reflects their deep-rooted dedication to preserving cultural heritage through imaging technology of the highest standard.
A Corporate Vision Grounded in Culture
For Dato’ Billy Lai, Business Development Director of Futuromic Photo AV Sdn. Bhd., the decision to sponsor the Genting Lion Dance Championship was personal, purposeful, and principled.
“This isn’t just about branding,” Dato’ Billy shared. “We’re here because lion dance is part of our cultural DNA. It’s not just Chinese heritage. It’s Malaysian heritage. We want to help preserve this art form, not just for the next competition, but for future generations to come.”
Futuromic Photo AV, Malaysia’s exclusive distributor of Nikon imaging products since 2003, saw an urgent need to raise the bar for how cultural events are documented.
The quality of content captured using smartphones and entry-level cameras, especially for an international-level competition, was insufficient in preserving the intricacy and grandeur of lion dance.
“Our role is to enhance the documentation quality through high-resolution photography and videography,” said Dato’ Billy. “We don’t own the content. We help preserve it for the Federation of Selangor & Federal Territory Dragon and Lion Dance Association. This is our way of giving back.”
Empowering Cultural Storytellers Across Asia
As part of their initiative, Futuromic Photo AV assembled a diverse team of professional photographers and content creators from Singapore, Myanmar, Taiwan and beyond, besides Malaysia. These individuals were handpicked for their visual storytelling skills and unique perspectives.
For many, this championship was their first experience witnessing competitive lion dance, far different from the traditional, festive routines seen during Chinese New Year.
At a high-level international competition like this, performances are judged based on difficulty, precision, and narrative flow. Each team brought their props, instruments, and storylines, transforming the high poles into a stage for martial arts theatre.
“The creators were amazed,” Dato’ Billy added. “They had never seen a lion dance in this light before. We’re not just sharing content; we’re opening eyes to how deep, technical, and expressive this tradition truly is.”
A Global Showcase of Talent
Organised by Resorts World Genting, with support from Tourism Malaysia, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and consultation by the Federation of Selangor and Federal Territory Dragon and Lion Dance Association, this year’s championship was even more significant as it coincided with Genting Malaysia’s 60th anniversary.
Over three days, lion dance troupes from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Singapore, Australia, the United States, Canada, Brunei, and Malaysia competed in a fierce yet celebratory atmosphere.
25th and 26th July were the preliminary rounds, where all 40 teams showcased their routines within a 10–15-minute time frame. The top 10 teams advanced to the finals on 27th July, battling it out for top honours in front of an enthusiastic crowd and an expert panel of nine judges.
Moments That Moved the Crowd
Each performance told a unique story. Some troupes featured battles between lions and dragons, others highlighted the lion’s mischievous traits or used narrative gimmicks like the chai cheng (lettuce and red envelope) or traditional instruments such as the angklung. One team even incorporated a forest setting, complete with elaborate props and jungle soundscapes.
Adding a touch of glamour and martial artistry to the finals were special appearances by Sandra Lim, Miss Universe Malaysia 2024, who performed a wushu piece, and Hong Kong TVB actor Joel Chan, co-founder of Lion Brothers International, who joined in a lion and drum performance.
Champions of the Championship
After a thrilling final round, the Singapore Yiwei Athletic Association – Team B successfully defended their title (from 2023 edition) with an almost flawless routine, earning the highest score of 9.78. They walked away with USD18,000, a coveted perpetual trophy, and individual medals and trophies.
Winners’ Honour Roll:
Western Lion Dance Champion
USA Soaring Phoenix Dragon & Lion Dance Association
Dragon Lion Sports Alliance of America
Eastern Lion Dance Champion
Singapore Yiwei Athletic Association – Team B
Best Difficulty Award
China Guangxi Wuzhou Teng Xian Lion Dance Troupe
People’s Choice Award
Malaysia Xuan Long Dragon and Lion Dance, Rawang, Selangor
15th Genting World Lion Dance Champion
Singapore Yiwei Athletic Association – Team B
Points: 9.78
Prize Money: US$18,000
1st Runner-Up
Singapore Wushu Dragon & Lion Dance Federation – Singapore Yiwei Athletic Association – Team A
Points: 9.66
Prize Money: US$10,000
2nd Runner-Up
Pergabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Tarian Naga dan Singa Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan Malaysia – Catholic High School Alumni Association (Dragon & Lion Dance), P.J. Selangor
Points: 9.59
Prize Money: US$6,000
Recognised by The Malaysia Book of Records
To mark this 15th edition, the championship was awarded a prestigious honour by The Malaysia Book of Records for “Longest Running World Lion Dance Championship”. The award recognises the event’s unmatched consistency since 1994 in not only preserving but also elevating the lion dance tradition to global heights.
A Lasting Legacy, Captured with Precision
In many ways, the 15th Genting World Lion Dance Championship was more than a competition. It was a cultural convergence. For spectators, it was a rare opportunity to witness the lion dance in all its glory. For Futuromic Photo AV, it was a continuation of a mission: to protect, document, and promote Malaysian culture through world-class imaging technology.
As Dato’ Billy noted, “We’re proud to work alongside Resorts World Genting, the Federation of Selangor & Federal Territory Dragon and Lion Dance Association, plus the wider lion dance community.
As long as there are stories to tell, we’ll be there, with a Nikon in hand.”
Event: 15th Genting World Lion Dance Championship
Venue: Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia
Date: 25th – 27th July, 2025
Note: All photos taken during the finals. Photo credit Futuromic Photo AV/Nikon, unless otherwise stated.
