Kuching hosts Freedom Film Fest 2018 today

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KUCHING: Freedom Film Fest (FFF), Malaysia’s leading international human rights documentary film festival is being held today (Oct 27) at Lot 10 Hotel, Jalan Ban Hock from 11.30am – 5.30pm.

The festival is screening a diverse line-up of bold and brave new films from the very best of local, regional and international filmmakers.

Co-hosted in Kuching by Civica Research and Panggau, this year’s festival themed, ‘Mend The Gap’, draws inspiration from the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which states that ‘no one should be left behind’.

In light of recent changes in the political landscape and in the spirit of Malaysia Baru, FFF aims to harness the power of film and great storytelling to create more awareness, empathy and facilitate deeper exchange between groups in order to close these gaps and inspire real change, said a press release issued yesterday.

Seven films are being screened including this year’s FFF film grant recipients who tackle three areas in Malaysia that require immediate attention.

The education of stateless children in Sabah ‘Aku Mau Sekolah’ (I Want To Go To School) by Putri Purnama Sagua; adequate maternal healthcare in rural Sarawak in‘The Story of Kam Agong’ by Lawrence Jayaraj, Agnes Padan and Wong Chin Hor;  the rights of the differently abled to an independent and dignified life in ‘In The Dark’ by Low Watan.

Another important theme that requires urgent attention is that of sex education in ‘Kantoi’ by Adam Zainal while an interesting local documentary depicts the lives of boat drivers in the Muara Tuang ferry base in ‘Story Between Two Riverbeds’ by Nur Kursyiah Matali.

FFF2018 hoped to raise awareness of how Malaysian higher education institutions fail to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of indigenous Orang Asli youths in ‘Tak Kesampaian’ by Shafie Dris.

Also being screened for the first time in Sarawak is the celebrated international documentary ‘Joshua: Teenager vs Superpower’ by Joe Piscatella about the experience of young activists from Hong Kong’s umbrella movement.

Each film screening is followed by a question and answer session with the filmmaker/main protagonist/local experts to contextualise issues and engage with the public.

FFF is pleased to announce that Lawrence Jayaraj, Agnes Padan and Wong Chin Hor are in Kuching to talk about their experience in making ‘The Story of Kam Agong’.

Entrance is free and members of the public are requested to come early as seats are limited.

Further information on the FFF is available at its website https://freedomfilm.my.