AIFFA 2013 To Link Filmmakers From Asean, Hollywood And Bollywood

By Hazlinda Hamzah KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- The premiere of the Asean International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) 2013 is set to unveil an impressive line-up of films and filmmakers. AIFFA 2013 will be held in the state of Sarawak from 28 to 30 March, and it will be hosted by Henry Golding and Tony Eusoff, two Sarawakian heartthrobs who have established illustrious careers outside their hometown. Sarawak is one of the two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Over 80 films have been submitted from all over the world, spanning not only across the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region but also those from filmmakers in Iran, the US, the UK, Russia, and India. Sixteen awards will be presented to honour the works of filmmakers during the AIFFA 2013 Gala Night on March 30. Pad Yatra, a documentary produced by Hong-kong base Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, will be screened at the opening ceremony of the festival. Acclaimed directors such as Bernard Chauly, Dain Said, Gary Hayes, Anirudhya Mitra, Aris Muda, and Ian Lorenos are some of the familiar faces expected to turn up for the festival promising to be three fun-filled days of films, awards, and celebrities. Taking into account the high number of high profile delegates attending and participating in this festival, AIFFA 2013 hopes to bridge the gap between Asean filmmakers and filmmakers from Hollywood and Bollywood. LINKAGE POINT Notable individuals from Hollywood and Bollywood have also been invited to give talks on different facets of the film industry. They would include Hollywood industry personalities such as Gary Levinsohn, Kymber Lim, and Christopher Chen, who bring with them vast experiences in the arena of film production. A Bollywood producer, also dubbed the queen of Bollywood TV, Ekta Kapoor, will be present to share her valuable work experience with other players in the film industry. Malaysia will be represented by film production studio, Rhythm and Hues Studios, which was directly involved in the post production of the Academy Award winning film, Life of Pi, as well as Snow White and the Huntsmen. Livan Tajang, Festival Director of AIFFA 2013, said the organisers hope to achieve a solid and sustainable outcome for all filmmakers, besides having a good time. "We want our patrons to gain, to take advantage of the exposure. During the seminar and exhibition, on the last two days, there will be roundtable discussions and an opportunity for filmmakers to talk about their ideas, projects, and possible future collaborations between them," Tajang explained further, emphasising that the aim of the AIFFA 2013 is to create a network that will benefit all participants in the long term. The candidates and winners of the AIFFA 2013 awards will be judged by a five-member panel of jury from five different countries of Asean, headed by Malaysia’s very own U-Wei Shaari. Other members of the jury will be Deborah Gabinetti of Indonesia, Jack Neo of Singapore, Ricky Davao of the Philippines, and U Aung Lwin of Myanmar. NEW VENTURES The idea of promoting the Asean region as a market that both the Asean and international filmmakers can consider venturing into is not exactly new and is indeed timely. "There has been a resurgence in the Asean’s film production and looking at the large population within the region alone, it would be a waste for filmmakers not to consider venturing into these markets. We are so similar in many ways than one, and this is a good selling point to leverage on," said Tajang. Audiences are drawn to a storyline that they can identify with. And that provides filmmakers with the base for their films as well as films from other Asean countries to push forward. "These factors can contribute to the marketing of these filmmakers’ products," she added. Among the local films submitted for the first AIFFA include Dain Said’s film, Bunohan, which grabbed three awards at the recent 25th ‘Festival Filem Malaysia’. Other films submitted for this festival, from neighbouring countries, include Habibie & Ainun and Recterverso from Indonesia and Taxi Taxi! from Singapore. MARATHON VIEWING The comprehensive array of films submitted for both competition and special screenings from all the participating countries, within and outside the Asean region, will be watched by film buffs during the festival’s "Movies in the Rainforest" event. A marathon showcase of films will be screened at the Sarawak Cultural Village, beginning at 12 noon on March 28. And tickets at RM18 (US$5.81) will be sold to enable attendants to enjoy almost 20 hours of entertainment from watching films. Patrons have been encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the unique film marathon event. Details of the festival are available at www.aseanfilmfest.com. -- BERNAMA