By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 9: A heartfelt Sarawakian short film, ‘Space Between’, is set to make its national television debut this Father’s Day (June 15), offering audiences across Malaysia a poignant story of family, memory, and reconciliation—set against the majestic backdrop of Niah National Park.
Written and directed by Sarawakian filmmaker Danish Busmah, Space Between will air on TVS (Channel 122 on MYTV, Unifi TV, and Astro) at 5.30pm this June 15 in conjunction with Father’s Day.
Produced by 21 Ways Film—a local production house dedicated to amplifying Sarawakian voices—the project was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) through the Sarawak Heritage, Arts and Culture Facilitation Fund, in collaboration with TVS.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts II (Creative Industry and Performing Arts) Datuk Snowdan Lawan said Sarawak offers immense potential as a filming destination with its unique and diverse landscapes.
“If we are familiar with films like Apocalypto (2006), The Hobbit, or Lord of the Rings—we have that kind of landscape here in Sarawak. It would be very interesting.
“Of course, it requires a lot of techniques like CGI, which are Hollywood standard. But I believe we have a lot of talent here—young talent. We can inspire them, support them, and who knows, one day Sarawak can become a Hollywood-like place for filmmaking,” he said during a press conference at the film’s premiere screening held at TGV Cinemas, Vivacity Megamall here today.
Space Between follows a father and daughter—played by Julai Billie and Darweesha Dasuki—as they navigate silence, memory, and the emotional space between them in a quiet yet powerful journey through the jungle.
The 12-minute film marks a cinematic milestone as the first to be fully shot in Niah National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It captures not only the lush scenery of the iconic park but also the emotional terrain of its characters, delivering a contemplative narrative that resonates with themes of family and connection.
Part of the filming also took place at Rumah Patrick Libau, an Iban longhouse located within the Niah area, adding a layer of cultural authenticity and grounding the story further in the rich heritage of the local community.
Danish, 28, shared that the film was inspired by Kampung Lobang Batu, near his hometown of Tebakang, Serian, where bird nest collection remains a way of life.
“That’s where the inspiration for the story came from. Then we expanded it to Niah Caves, which is grand and visually stunning but still feels understated.
“We wanted to emphasise the beauty of the landscape and, at the same time, tell a story with emotional depth,” he stated.
While Space Between explores the traditions surrounding bird nest harvesting, Danish explained that its core message goes beyond heritage.
“The message is very personal for me. It’s about the unsaid struggles within a family, particularly the difficulty in communication. Many families, including mine, go through this.
“This film is an eye-opener—it shows we’re not alone in these struggles and, hopefully, it inspires a better understanding of family relationships,” he emphasised.
Looking ahead, Danish revealed that discussions are underway with TVS on submitting the film to international film festivals.
“We’re currently in talks with TVS to collaborate on submissions to international film festivals. The plan is to explore our options once Space Between is released,” Danish said, expressing hope that the film will garner awards and elevate Sarawak’s creative industry. — DayakDaily
