Abang Johari (seated) giving his own version of a director’s ‘shout-out’ at the launch of Aiffa 2015 in Kuala Lumpur.
KUCHING: The city will come alive with cinematic magic at the second Asean International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa), set to take place from April 9 to 11.
Themed Aiffa Movies and Networking Inspire Asean (Aiffa Mania), this second edition will see a star-studded list of celebrities which includes Nora Aunor and the Giuterrezz family from the Philippines, Zay Yar Aung (Myanmar), Pongsatorn Jongwilas (Thailand), Chy Thmor (Cambodia), Mello-Pham Thi Nhung, Siu Pham (Vietnam), Hanung Bramantyo (Indonesia), Tony Kern (Singapore), Datuk Yusoff Haslam (Malaysian Film Producers Association president) and chief juror U-Wei Saari (Malaysia).
“This Asean festival will definitely promote arts and performance in the state and country,” said its host Sarawak Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Korean film celebrities have also decided to ‘invade’ Kuching with a delegation of 11 directors making their way to Aiffa 2015.
The internationally popular ‘Running Man’ series will also be making an appearance in Sarawak, with its team checking out the Bakun Dam as a possible location.
Aiffa 2015 will also feature K-pop stars Nolza at Sarawak Cultural Village and at the gala dinner.
Ten member nations will use Aiffa 2015 as a platform to showcase, compete and collaborate with their best offering of films.
Aiffa is a growing film festival, which made its debut in 2013. The biannual event celebrates the best of films from around Asean region.
“We are very pleased with the participation of our Asean neighbours. Kuching is set to sparkle in the world map of the film industry,” Aiffa festival director Livan Tajang remarked.
Meanwhile, the ‘Awesome Sarawak’ short film competition, run in collaboration with Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam), will also be held in conjunction with Aiffa 2015.
Open to Sarawakians, this competition is rewarding winners with prizes of RM5,000, RM3,000 and RM2,000 sponsored by Sarawak Energy Bhd and Faradale Management.
Pre-event activities have already begun in Kuching with the free screening of films at the waterfront since early February.
The three-day event will see three programmes specially designed for film enthusiasts, academics, students and nature lovers.
Among the topics at the Film Seminar and Exhibition is the Asean-China Film and Television Co-Production Forum: Promoting Regional Tourism Through Films.
Panel speakers from renowned film-makers, producers, directors, script-writers from China and Asean countries have been invited.
Topics include discussions on possible collaborations and education in the China-Asean film market.
Speakers over the three-day seminar include Mritunjay Pandey (India), Ross Grayson Bell (Australia), Stephen Sewell (Australia), Sharad Sharan (Malaysia), Thierry Bleu (France), Yasu Tanaka (Japan) and Rezal A Rahman, who is chief executive of Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia.
Aiffa 2015 will also be hosting the unique ‘Movies in the Rainforest’, a 12-hour film marathon at the acclaimed Sarawak Cultural Village.
Movies will be screened from 6pm on April 10 until 6am on April 11.
Aiffa’s opening ceremony will also be held here, together with the announcement of shortlisted films as well as the presentation of prizes for winners of the ‘Awesome Sarawak’ short film competition.
Fans will be able to rub shoulders with the stars while entertained by Dayang Nurfaizah and K-Pop group Nolza at the venue.
The stage will also host the world premiere of Pilot Café.
The grand finale Gala Night will be held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on April 11, where the winners for all 14 categories of awards will be unveiled.
To date, 60 film entries have been received. The show will end with the ‘Spirit of Asean Award’, a film that portrays the best of this region.
Another highlight is the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ presented to an Asean film personality who has broken the international barrier.
The winner for 2013 was Malaysia’s very own international screen and stage star, Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh.
Guests at the Gala Night will also be entertained by Malaysian superstar Anuar Zain, soul sensation Dasha Logan, Filipino heart-throb Piolo Pascual and K-Pop group Nolza.