KUCHING: More young filmmakers are encouraged to take part in the future Asean UniFest Inter-University SDG Short Film Awards, as part of efforts to nurture new creative talents and strengthen the film industry.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said the ministry fully supports programmes by Asean International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) that encourage youth participation in filmmaking while promoting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We look forward to your continued support for UniFest and hope that you can encourage other young filmmakers to participate in the future, maybe next year to come,” he said when officiating at the event at Event Space, the Spring Shopping Mall here on Wednesday (Nov 12).
He said the ministry’s Creative Industry portfolio covers 12 categories, including film which offers funding for those interested in pursuing filmmaking, with allocations ranging from RM50,000 to RM200,000 depending on the scale of workshops or classes.
“You can get a good film department or filmmakers that can teach you film classes or workshops on how to do a good film. And we have that funding.
“We want to make sure that this industry, that Sarawak is moving forward, in line with other countries, especially in this film industry,” he added.
The Asean UniFest Inter-University SDG Short Film Awards, curated by APRN in collaboration with AIFFA organiser World Communications, received over 150 submissions from universities across the ASEAN region.
Among this year’s winners, the Change Agent Award was presented to A Cup of Hope from the LSPR Institute of Communication and Business, Indonesia, while the Advocacy Award went to Anak Mangku Anak from the same institution.
Bilin from Davao Del Norte State College, Philippines, received the Best Documentary Award, and Apathy from University Brunei Darussalam, Brunei, won the Best Poetic Film Award.
The Environment Action Award was awarded to Leftovers from the LSPR Institute of Communication and Business, Indonesia, and the Best Cinematography Award went to Hoi An’s Lantern – Making Tradition from Duy Tan University, Vietnam.
Umpan: The Betta Fish from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and IACT College, Malaysia, won the Best Drama Award, while Till The Last Note from Lasalle College of The Arts, Singapore, took home the Best Film Award.
