CM: Kuching delighted to play host to Asean film makers

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‘Terbaik Dari Langit’ director Nik Amir Mustapha accepting the award for Best Film. Also on stage are Best Actor winner Bront Pelare (far left) and actress Sharifah Amani. — Photos by Muhamad Rais Sanusi.

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Nora Aunor (far right) accepting her award from 2013 winner Michelle Yeoh. Looking on are Adenan (centre), Abang Johari (second left) and Aiffa managing director Jaffri Amin (far left).

Adenan (left) presents the Asean Inspiration Award to superstar Jackie Chan. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem welcomed the film fraternity from 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries with open arms at the Asean International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa) 2015 on Saturday.

“It is an honour to be at Aiffa this year. We welcome you to the city of Kuching, the only city in the world that we know is named after an animal,” the chief minister said in a pre-recorded message for Aiffa 2015 held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.

Adenan said the state was honoured to receive hundreds of film makers from Asean for the second time.

Held once every two years, the inaugural Aiffa was held in March 2013.

“I understand Kuching has been endorsed by the Asean Minister of Tourism as the permanent venue for this event.”

The year 2015, Adenan said, would be a great year for Malaysia, given that the country is the chair for Asean.

“And the tagline for 2015 ‘One People, One Community, One Vision’ is very appropriate for the objective of Aiffa as this festival highlights films as the backbones of 10 countries.

“This year is also the Malaysia Year of Festivals, and Aiffa is among the events. We understand over 60 films were received from different countries, and many casts and crews are gathered here to celebrate the awards.”

With film makers meeting every two years, he believed they could network and collaborate to achieve a mutual vision and objective for the Asean film industry.

He added they could not just compete among one another but also share their movies among the Asean communities with a combined population of 620 million.

“We are pleased Sarawak will be used as the location for five films starting this year. Thank you for choosing our beautiful state as shooting locations.”

At the awards ceremony, Adenan presented the Asean Inspiration Award – a new honour created for Aiffa 2015 – to superstar Datuk Jackie Chan.