Dayak film industry eyes Internet for exposure

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KUCHING: Although a newcomer in the filmmaking industry, BFG Media & Entertainment Production Sdn Bhd is planning to take full advantage of the Internet in the next few months, either through Facebook, Twitter, eBay or its own official website.

Its managing director Museh Amba is certainly a man with a mission to promote Dayak films across the globe, taking advantage of the power of the Internet.

‘I may not be a computer wizard but I know what the Internet can do. For example, Justin Bieber was discovered through Youtube. That’s a strong case of what the Internet can do for us.

“When it comes to marketing home-grown films, online marketing is the way of the future. I think now is the time for the industry to have access to an initiative aimed at implementing effective online strategies that are integrated very early in a film’s distribution process,” said Museh in a press release.

He pointed out that the experience brought by his co-producers, Benny and Monita Jeff, who had worked in various TV production houses in Kuala Lumpur, would help his mission become a reality in the near future.

“Everywhere in the world, people talk about marketing their products via online. I come to know a few African film production houses promoting their culture based films in the Internet and it has sparked my interest ever since, and I am thinking to myself how good it will be if Dayak films can have the same exposure.

“Online marketing holds a lot of potential for the distribution of feature films. The timing is good for local Malaysian film distributors and producers to benefit from the positive impact of Internet marketing,” Museh enthused.

This co-producer of 1st Dayak Iban Action Feature Film — Dunya Gangster, believes marketing in the Internet is cheaper and has a worldwide audience.

Museh added: “Even Walt Disney Studios launched a promotion for the new Jerry Bruckheimer’s film, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, starring Nicholas Cage via Twitter’s new limited time deals feed @earlybird last year.

“Disney was the first partner for Twitter’s new marketing services that offered followers in the US a two for the price of one ticket promotion for the film. As matter of fact, we are thinking of approaching a few KL based Internet social media tools to promote Dunya Gangster.”

Co-producer Benny Zachariah hoped Dayak films would soon get a proper recognition from private TV stations such as Astro & Media Prima Groups consisting of TV3, ntv7, and TV9 with the introduction of Dunya Gangster to the silver screens in the Peninsula.

“From the time I started the Dayak film industry in the state, I have always dreamt that one day Astro or TV3 will air Dayak telemovies or dramas and I hope I will be the guy who will be able to convince Media Prima Groups to buy my films.

“It’s not the question how much they can pay for the film, but what is most important is BFG makes history by becoming the 1st Sarawak film production house to supply Dayak films to a reputable TV station like Astro or TV3,” said 37 year-old Benny.

Benny, who is to co-launch the 1st Dayak Iban Travel Documentary, Jalai-Jalai 1Malaysia in May, was grateful for the support his production team received while filming in Miri.