By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, July 26: A Sarawakian-produced telefilm entitled “Misi” is the first of its kind to be screened on Astro First’s Video On Demand (VOD) exclusive platform by September this year.
The telefilm produced by Kamek Empun Production was directed by Mohamad Ghazali Jeman, or popularly known as Jalot Jeman.
It starred Sahronizam Noor, Anding Indrawani, Melati Melissa, Fir Affandi, Zaha Borhan, Abdul Aziz, Ali Mohamad and many more.
The two-week film shooting took place across Kuching city such as Kuching Waterfront, Kampung Telaga Air, Kampung Trombol, Kampung Sibu Laut, Pantai Damai and Damai Central.
During the telefilm’s premiere at GSC The Spring shopping mall last night (July 25), Jalot said the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) through Borneo Digital Content Fund (DKD) and the financial assistance from the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) had given the opportunity to his production company to undertake the telefilm.
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who officiated at the event, noted that the film industry in Sarawak is both underdeveloped and challenging.
He explained that the setting up of MTCP has shifted one of its focus towards developing the industry apart from promoting Sarawak as a popular destination for filming locations.
While he commended the success of Misi, which was made by Sarawakians, he also stressed the importance of collaboration with the industry players outside of Sarawak to guide and add value to the production quality.
“The MTCP also provides funding to assist Sarawakians who wish to hone their talents in creative industry and performing arts but we will see it on a case-by-case basis.
“If they want to come up with an event or produce a movie or a documentary, they can always come over to the ministry and we will have a look into it with the support from Finas as well,” he told the press at the event.
Meanwhile, Finas chief executive officer Prof Dr Mohd Nasir Ibrahim said to further boost the development of film industry in Sarawak, Finas will hold an engagement session soon to discuss on the mapping of the industry’s direction to be on par with the developed countries for the next 20 or 30 years.
Additionally, he urged aspiring film associations and companies in Sarawak to apply for the grants available from Finas to organise courses and training for actors, crew and directors to hone their skills.
Also present were Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan and wife Datin Melinda Claudia Bucking-Lawan, Abdul Karim’s wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jaabar, MTCP permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee and Sarawak Arts Council chief executive officer Dayang Mariana Abang Bolhassan. — DayakDaily
