Indie Filmmaker Night returns for WAK2017
KUCHING: When filmmaker Fabian Hee held his first Indie Filmmaker Night ( IFN) early last year which merely featured three short films, he did not expect 100 people to pack the small event space.
It began after Hee’s short piece ‘ The Accountant, The Man’ was screened at the film festivals in Spain and the US in 2015. Together with two other local fi lmmakers, Carlucci Noel and Aiman Samat, Hee showcased a total of three short independent films at the maiden IFN in Indah House Kuching.
This was followed by the second event late last year with filmmakers — Chai Koh Khai, Jeremy Jecky and Syahrizan Ramlee — joining the original three from the fi rst event.
The response was so overwhelming – despite it being a ticketed event – that organisers ended up holding an encore the following day for those who missed it the fi rst time around.
The third instalment would be held as part of What About Kuching ( WAK) 2017 – the October festival celebrating the arts, culture and lifestyles of the people of the state capital.
“The Indie Filmmaker Night is a film screening event to showcase the works of local independent filmmakers. Each filmmaker’s screening is followed by a Q& A session where the audience can ask anything they want directly to the fi lmmakers,” Hee told The
The Indie Filmmaker Night is a film screening event to showcase the works of local independent filmmakers. Each filmmaker’s screening is followed by a Q&A session where the audience can ask anything they want directly to the filmmakers.
Borneo Post.
This year’s IFN will take place at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association ( DBNA) hall, Jalan Ong Tiang Swee this Sept 30. A special WAK Festival encore show will be held at the Grand Margherita Hotel here this Oct 22.
This time round the emphasis is on collaboration, highlighting not only the directors of fi lms, but also the entire production teams. Familiar faces from the local scene include TL Studio ( Hee), The Scope (Chai), and JKK Film (Aiman).
New to this year’s lineup are young local filmmakers from Wakaka Production, as well as independent production groups from Japan and Spain – namely Garage Hero and Lanugo Films – all showcasing their works as part of the international independent fi lm movement.
“A big part of the independent film movement is collaboration with other filmmakers, be it working together on a film or exhibiting each other’s works to the public. Since the IFN premiered in 2016, independent filmmakers, videographers, cinematographers and the public have gathered together to talk not only about the exhibited films, but also form collaborations and a community – all genuinely interested in creating and watching independently-produced fi lms that are true to the director’s vision,” said Hee.
For details including booking of tickets, contact Hee at 013- 5648240 or visit www.aboutkuching.com.
The month-long WAK 2017, running from Sept 30 to Oct 29, will encompass every genre – from visual to performing arts, traditional to contemporary arts, and from static exhibitions to active outdoor pursuits.
To date, over 50 components have already been committed by various groups, with more to come.
If you know someone who fits into what WAK 2017 is trying to achieve, send proposals to info@ aboutkuching.com – if possible, include contact information of the person or group that you are suggesting.
For updates, like WAK 2017 on Facebook ( http://www.fb.com/ aboutkuching) or follow them on Instagram (@ aboutkuching). Also check out hashtags #WAK2017 and # aboutkuching across social media.
Fabian Hee, filmmaker