KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 18 -- As Malaysians usher in the Year of the Horse amidst a festive travel rush, local brands have once again captured the spirit of Chinese New Year with a series of memorable short films and advertisements.

From tear-jerking family reunions to clever comedic takes, here are some of our top picks for the season.

Heartfelt stories of family and connection

Malaysia Airlines has delivered one of the most poignant ads this year with "The Reunion That Matters." The film centres on a daughter reconnecting with her long-lost biological family, a storyline that evokes a bittersweet chapter in Malaysian history when poverty forced many Chinese families to give up their baby girls for adoption in the 1950s and 60s. The ad has...