Michael Chuah made a great debut as a talented director by winning the Best Experimental Film (silver) and Best Short Film (bronze) in the 2002 Malaysian Video Awards with his film, The Encounter. He did not limit himself to directing but expanded his interest in scriptwriting, and again his Carpe Diem managed to take another Best Short Film (bronze) award in Malaysian Video Awards 2003.

In 2004, Michael Chuah's film "Love at First Sight" gets the top 2 awards from the Astro Chinese Short Film Awards in the Open Category, claiming the gold and best videography award.

He has been actively involved in the local independent film scene, and is one of the 7 filmmakers that is selected for the "Beautiful Malaysia Short Film Roadshow", to further promote the awareness on local independent filmmaking. He hopes that more Malaysians will start watching local film productions so that Malaysia can have a vibrant film industry of its own.

After establishing himself as an independent director, he has now venture into mainstream film in making a local Chinese film - Seed of Darkness, a Malaysian Chinese Horror movie to be released nationwide.