Kuching to host Asean film festival
KUCHING: Sarawak will host the Asean International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) this year, the second time it is being held here after the first in 2013.
The biennial festival which will be held from April 9 to 11 will showcase celebrities, films screening, and business-tobusiness networking amidst major media presence.
“Sarawak is proud be chosen yet again by the government and Asean leaders as the focal point for this event,” said Sarawak Housing and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg at the press conference after he chaired the Sarawak Tourism Co-ordination Committee meeting here yesterday.
He said the festival has been officially endorsed by the Asean secretariat, Malaysian government and the state government as the film festival for the region.
Abang Johari said the festival will showcase the best films, the best collaborations and the best display of talents which are Asean’s pride.
Malaysian actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh won the first AIFFA Lifetime Achievement Award during AIFFA 2013.
For this year’s festival, Abang Johari said 50 Asean film entries have been received and these films will be judged by jury from Asean countries headed by U-Wei Saari, a noted award-winning Malaysian film director and also a representative from India.
Abang Johari said 150 Asean and international filmmakers will be attending, on top of 200 expected celebrities from Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, Myanmar and China.
Among the top celebrities are Raymong Guiterrezz, Richard Guiterezz, Ruffa Guiterez, Piola Pascual and Nora Ainor from the Phillipines and Datuk Rossa, Christine Hakim and Alex Komag from Indonesia.
The world premiere of Malaysia film “Pilot Cafe” directed by Osman Ali and produced by Tarantela Pictures will be premiered during AIFFA 2015.
It is a film adapted from bestselling novel by Ahadiat Akashah, casting Fahrin Ahmad, Izara Aishah, Neelofa, Datuk Eizlan Yusoff, Keith Foo and Azad Jazmin.
“It is going to be better than 2013 festival,” Abang Johari assured.
He said the festival is also where movies bind and create understanding among the Asean nations and China.
The Asean-China Film and Television Co-Production Forum: Promoting regional Tourism Through Films will also be held on April 11 to allow fellow film industry representatives as well as major tourism players in Sarawak to discuss the industry.
During the period of the festival, the unique 24-hour movie marathon in the rainforest will be held in the acclaimed Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) and the official opening ceremony will be held on April 10 at the SCV.
The gala nite and awards will be held on April 11 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) when the winners for the 12 categories of awards will be announced. – Bernama