Nikoi is a member of The Long Run.
Shamaine Othman is a Malaysian screenwriter, stand-up comedian, and occasional actor and director based in Kuala Lumpur. Her work often looks at relationships and family dynamics familiar to the Nusantara region, with a particular interest in the quiet tensions, humour, and contradictions that shape everyday life.
During her residency, Shamaine will be working on a feature-length screenplay about the reunion of a broken Nusantara family during Hari Raya (Eid). Set against the rituals and expectations of the festive season, the film explores what happens when people who have grown apart are brought back into the same space and the moments of connection that follow.
Tulisan Nusantara is our writers’ residency program. Each year, published writers from across the region are invited to spend time on the island, drawing inspiration from the natural world and the stories of the Riau Islands.
During their stay, residents explore ideas connected to place, identity, and culture. Guests may spot them working in quiet corners of the island or join open readings and informal discussions when held. Each residency leaves behind a piece of writing, which will be gathered into an anthology over time.