Abdul Karim explains why Sarawak supports AIFFA

KUCHING: The Asean International Film Festival (AIFFA) serves as a platform for the Asean film industry to close ranks and work closely to promote the industry globally.

Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this is among one of the reasons that the Sarawak government is very supportive of AIFFA.

“I was told that AIFFA has over 100 student delegates registered for AIFFA, including some from Asean universities. AIFFA will enable them to receive first-hand knowledge as they attend talks by the professionals and experts of the industry.

“AIFFA also provides a meeting place for joint ventures that can enhance understanding within our regions, not only for feature films but also Asean documentary films, that can be shared so viewers will know more about their neighbour countries.

“Together, we have almost 700 million people living in this region, a huge market for the industry for films unique to Asean,” he said.

Abdul Karim was officiating at the AIFFA 2023 welcome party at the Old Courthouse Courtyard here last night (Aug 2).

Also present were MTCP deputy ministers Datuk Sebastian Ting and Datuk Snowdan Lawan; MTCP permanent secretary Datuk Sherrina Hussaini and AIFFA 2023 festival director Livan Tajang.

Meanwhile, four Malaysian films were nominated for the final stage of AIFFA which will take place tomorrow (Aug 5).

They are Barbarian Invasion directed by Tan Chui Mui; Prebet Sapu (Muzzamer Rahman); Perjalanan Pertama (Arief Malinmundo); and Duan Nago Bogho (Sabri Yunus).

Also competing in the same category are Before, Now & Then directed by Kamila Andini (Indonesia); Ginhawa directed by Christian Paolo Lat (Phlippines); and Kargo directed by TM Malones (Philippines).

Following is the full list of the nominees:

Best Screenplay

1. Before, Now & Then – Indonesia
2. Barbarian Invasion – Malaysia
3. Brilliant Darkness – Vietnam
4. Angkas (The Back Ride) – Philippines
5. Ginhawa – Philippines

Best Film Editing*

1. Roh – Malaysia
2. Faces of Anne – Thailand
3. Geylang – Singapore
4. Katips – Philippines
5. Kuntilanak 3 – Indonesia

Best Director of Cinematography

1. Rain Yamson “Akademi” – Brunei
2. Asalisham Bin Mohd Ali “Poochandi” – Malaysia
3. Roy Lolang “The Woman Crowned with a Crescent Moon” – Indonesia
4. Tran Ngoc Khuyen “Momento Mori: Earth” – Vietnam
5. Neil Derrick Bion “Sitio Diablo” – Philippines

Best Supporting Actress

1. Kim B Ngo “The Brilliant Darkness” – Vietnam
2. Angeline Tan “Duan Nago Bogho” – Malaysia
3. Ruby Ruiz “Ginhawa” – Philippines
4. Elora Espano “Walker” – Philippines
5. Djenar Maesa Ayu “The Woman Crowned with a Crescent Moon” – Indonesia

Best Actress

1. Happy Salma “Before, Now & Then” – Indonesia
2. Nirina Zubir “Paranoia” – Indonesia
3. Nguyen Hai Yen “Momento Mori: Earth” – Vietnam
4. Maxine Eigenmann “Kargo” – Philippines
5. Coleen Garcia “Kaluskos” – Philippines

Best Supporting Actor

1. Hasnul Rahmat “Jerangkung dalam almari” – Malaysia
2. JM San Jose Bautista “The Baseball Player” – Philippines
3. Beto Kusyairi “Mat Kilau” – Malaysia
4. Benjamin Alves “Angkas (The Back Ride)” – Philippines
5. Otig Pakis “The Woman Crowned with a Crescent Moon” – Indonesia

Best Actor

1. Andrew Ramsay “Ginhawa” – Philippines
2. Tommy Alejandrino “The Baseball Player” – Philippines
3. Datuk Tamimi Siregar “Perjalanan Pertama” – Malaysia & Indonesia
4. Huy Yaleng “Fathers” – Cambodia
5. Amerul Affendi “Prebet Sapu” – Malaysia

Best Director

1. Kamila Andini “Before, Now & Then” – Indonesia
2. Tan Chui Mui “Barbarian Invasion” – Malaysia
3. Christian Paolo Lat “Ginhawa” – Philippines
4. Luisito Lagdameo Ignacio “Broken Blooms” – Philippines
5. Sabri Yunus “Duan Nago Bogho” – Malaysia
6. Carlo Obispo “The Baseball Player” – Philippines

Best Film

1. Before, Now & Then – Indonesia
2. Barbarian Invasion – Malaysia
3. Ginhawa – Philippines
4. Prebet Sapu – Malaysia
5. Kargo – Philippines
6. Perjalanan Pertama – Malaysia & Indonesia
7. Duan Nago Bogho – Malaysia