Ideal platform
The second Malaysia International Film Festival will focus on female directors.
FOLLOWING the success of the inaugural presentation of Malaysia International Film Festival (Miffest) and Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA) earlier this year, the organisers have announced that the second edition will be held in February next year.
Malaysian actress-singer Lee Sinje, who was the face of the festival this year, has agreed to endorse the festival once again.
In keeping with the theme for this year which is Humanity, the 2nd Miffest & MGGA unveiled its official poster illustrating the two faces of Humanity – Hope and Despair, during a press conference held at Kuala Lumpur last week.
According to Miffest and MGGA chairman Joanne Goh, the festival acts as an ideal platform for the exchange of cultures as “the world of films is borderless”.
“We aim to provide opportunity by introducing world-class locallyproduced Malaysian films to the rest of the world,” adds Goh.
Non-commercial foreign films are usually not as accessible to local moviegoers as such films don’t often manage to secure a release in cinemas here, and that is where Lee says the festival comes in.
“With Miffest, people can grab the opportunity to watch these great films,” says Lee.
Lee says there will be two main highlights in the upcoming Miffest: A focus on South-East Asian films and female directors.
“Four female directors will be joining us during next year’s film festival to share their thoughts on filmmaking. Malaysian film enthusiasts can take this opportunity to learn from these foreign filmmakers,” says the multiple-award-winning actress who has clinched acting awards at Germany’s Berlin International Film Festival Awards, Taiwan’s Golden Horse Awards, Hong Kong’s Golden Bauhinia Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards as well as Malaysia’s Golden Wau Awards.
At the press conference, Lee – based in Hong Kong – also revealed that she would be raising her twoyear-old twin sons in Malaysia. She says memories of a happy time growing up in Kedah is why she is choosing to move back. I had the most delightful childhood memories growing up in this country.
“Malaysia is a wonderful place; the population is relatively small and it is not a fast-growing country, and hence has much potential for growth,” says Lee, 41.
The 2nd Miffest is a six-day affair that is set to run from Feb 25 to March 2, while the MGGA award presentation ceremony will be held on March 3.
For details, visit www.miffest. com.my.