MIRI: The Department of Media and Communication of the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) is hosting its inaugural Kenyalang Film Festival on May 8 and 9 this year.
The film festival is aimed at inspiring and empowering young film talents in Borneo and fostering creative collaborations between the media industry and local communities.
It is a pilot project under the department’s strategic plan to promote Curtin Malaysia as a creative hub in northern Sarawak and Borneo.
“The idea behind the Kenyalang Film Festival is to enhance the representation of Borneo in films and the media, and get Bornean people who are of diverse ethnicities to be more engaged in screen culture.
“It will be a great platform for them to develop themselves and the film industry in Borneo as a whole. It will also be a platform for them to meet experienced filmmakers for mentorship and funding opportunities,” said Head of the Department of Media and Communication, Dr Ngu Ik Ying
The Kenyalang Film Festival will comprise two categories, one for secondary schools or tertiary students, and an open category for aspiring filmmakers. Participation is free of charge. International students or expatriates living in Malaysia are also encouraged to participate in the festival as they are likely to have their own unique perspectives of Borneo.
The film festival is being organised by a group of Curtin Bachelor of Communications students calling themselves, the Pineapple Media Team and members of After Hours, a multi-disciplinary group of Curtin students who share a passion for creating film and digital content.
Sponsoring the festival is Wehaya Sdn. Bhd, a Bumiputera-owned engineering company specialising in products and services for the oil and gas industry, while support is being provided by TVS (formerly TV Sarawak), Sarawak’s state-owned digital television channel.
Film creators and enthusiasts can submit their short films and documentaries of any length and recorded using any device to the festival until April 16 .
Sarawak or Borneo content is preferable. Those interested to participate can register at https://bit.ly/KFFRegistration.
For more information on the Kenyalang Film Festival, follow the Pineapple Media Team’s Instagram at @pineapplemediateam2022, email the team at pineapplemediateam2022@gmail.com, or contact organising chairperson Melody at +6012-341 7280.
For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
