KUCHING: The Sarawak government is welcoming international film production companies to shoot in the Land of the Hornbills.
Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said incentives would be given to those who are interested.
“I hope more scenes of Sarawak can be shown in the movies or short films, because in a way it is promoting Sarawak,” he said when launching the fourth Asean International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa) Biz World at the Kuching Old Courthouse here yesterday.
On the Aiffa Biz World, Karim said it was organised to fulfil its role in ensuring that the best of Asean films can continue to be produced and cater to the ever growing demand among the discerning audiences.
“It falls on you as filmmakers and financers, to unearth the best stories that we have in Asean and give them the spotlight they deserve,” he pointed out.
He added all – from financiers, marketing people, film distributors, digital tech wizards and production experts – were equally responsible in the success of a movie.
On another note, Karim was confident that Aiffa would expand into a bigger festival.
He said just like the Rainforest World Music Festival, which had only 300 visitors during its first edition, now the festival is attracting more than 15,000 annually.
“I believe one day Aiffa would be the Cannes Film Festival of Southeast Asia,” he said.
Aiffa director Livan Tajang, Malaysian celebrities and film producers Datuk Hans Isaac, who is also the director of National Film Development Corporation, and chief executive officer Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri were among those present.
