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By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, June 12: The capital city of Sarawak will once again host the Asean International Film Festival & Awards (AIFFA), a world-class event that celebrates Southeast Asian movies.
Filmmakers, screenwriters, directors, cinematographers, actors, actresses and celebrities from 10 Asean countries will converge in Kuching from Aug 2–4 this year.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Deputy Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting said the three-day event will see the best of the film industry gather to celebrate, honour and recognise excellence among their peers.
AIFFA is a biennial festival that was initiated by Sarawak in 2013 with the objective of promoting Kuching as a cultural and performing arts hub and a centre for creative industries, as well as to enable filmmakers around Asean to network and collaborate.
“In line with Sarawak’s high-tech evolution in the digital age, the focus for AIFFA 2023 will be Asean’s exponential development towards embracing technology in the film industry.
“A total of 120 entries including 20 from Malaysia were received this year. Looking at that numbers, we can see that AIFFA has grown stronger. I believe it is on the right path in becoming the event that truly brings Asean countries closer together through a unique film festival,” Ting said at a press conference here today.
He added that films are one way to bring everyone together, irrespective of background.
Celebrities who have attended past AIFFA events include Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Steven Seagal and Nora Aunor.
According to AIFFA 2023 head of jury U-Wei Shaari who was also at the press conference, more than 120 film entries have already been received and will be shortlisted by its Asean and international juries including Ihsan Nurullah Kabil of Turkey, Viva Westi of Indonesia, Pham Thi Hong Anh of Vietnam and Effendee Mazlan of Malaysia.
When asked if the movie “Anwar: The Untold Story” was among the entries received by the organising committee, festival director Livan Tajang said no because it was only screened this year.
She added that only films produced and screened between 2020 and 2022 may participate.
Meanwhile, various events will be held at the Old Courthouse including shortlisted film screenings and movie talks which are open to the public.
“Those who are interested in Asean movies may watch screenings at the Old Courthouse auditorium and have the opportunity to meet the cast and crew of these ASEAN films.
“There is also a special one-and-a-half-day workshop on documentary films and screening at the same venue. This special programme is organised to provide an opportunity for locals to know more about production of documentaries,” Livan said.
The AIFFA 2023 gala night will be held at Pullman Hotel on Aug 4. Livan said the ticketed red carpet event promises an exciting night with top performers, suspense and drama as celebrities, film cast, and crew take to the stage to walk away with the coveted AIFFA 2023 awards.
The award categories are for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Director of Photography, Best Film Editing, Best Picture-Action, Best Picture-Comedy, Best Screenplay, Asian Inspiration,Asean Spirit, Life Achievement, and Special Jury. — DayakDaily
