Ling (fourth right) and Chang (fifth right) join Ting (sixth left) and the top contestants in a photo-call.
SIBU: The inaugural Sarawak Short Film Competition 2019 can serve as a viable platform to promote the state.
In pointing this out, Sibu MP Oscar Ling also hopes that through such programme, more new talents could be unearthed, introduced, highlighted and groomed.
“It is not merely a film competition. We organise it so that we can collect more videos meant to explore and promote Sarawak,” he spoke prior to the prize presentation ceremony for the Sarawak Short Film Competition 2019 in a hotel here last Saturday night.
Hosted by Sarawak Digital Media E-Platform Association (SDMA), the event also had Bukit Assek assembywoman Irene Chang as one of the guests.
Ling said the competition focused on food, culture and travel, but the platform for every step was online.
“Actually we got a lot from the e-digital platform. All the submissions by participants (were) done via online – even judging on the films was done through online too.
“I think we can maintain this platform in the future – if we had another movie competition, we could still use this platform,” he said.
Ling also called upon all the talents to continue producing good works.
“Very importantly is for you to get them (artistic works) registered as your own intellectual properties (IP) or copyrights, if you think you have great products.
“Probably someday, we could see great movies coming from Sarawak, produced by our very own Sarawakians.
“Registering your creations under IP is to ensure that your rights would be protected and most importantly, to gain cash through the collection of royalties,” he said.
Ling said many might not realise that for every broadcast of their songs, documentaries, dramas or movies, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) or other legitimate media platforms would pay out royalty.
In this regard, he said this could generate stable income should they wish to make film-making a full-time career.
“I know there are other options like YouTube nowadays.
“I hope that in time to come, we could create a film industry in Sarawak and turn it into one of the vibrant economic contributors to the state,” added the MP.
In her opening remarks, SDMA chairperson Zoey Ting congratulated all the 20 finalists and their teams.
According to her, the association received 61 short films from all over Sarawak – covering Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Lundu, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu and Lawas.
Meanwhile, the entry from Shia Yih Phen of Kuching entitled ‘Nanga Ukom-The Sarawak’ was adjudged the winner of competition, earning Shia a cash prize of RM5,000.
Charlton Andrew also from Kuching was the first runner-up with his short film ‘Welcome to the Kingdom’, while Lin Zing Kai placed third through the entry ‘The Gift of Motherland’.
Charlton and Lin received RM2,500 and RM1,500, respectively.
Five submissions were given ‘Outstanding Awards’ — ‘Discovery Sibu (The Sarawak)’ by Chan Kiang Hong of Sibu; ‘EV The Sarawak’ by Chong Ee Vei of Miri; ‘My Era of Foochow’ by Amson Wong of Sibu; ‘The Story of Melanau Sago Mask’ by Abdul Walid Ali Kota Samarahan; and ‘Bas Kubu’ (Fortress Bus) by Abdul Muneer Mohamad Ali of Sibu.