MIRI: Curtin University Malaysia’s Department of Media and Communication, under the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, will host its second annual Kenyalang Film Festival (KFF) on May 23 and 24 which coincides with the university’s 25th anniversary.
The festival, organised by the M-Project Group, a team of Communications students from the department, is backed by FINAS Sarawak, Sarawak Media Group (TVS), and Freedom Film Network. It aims to encourage young film talent and foster collaboration between the media industry and local communities.
“The KFF seeks to establish Curtin Malaysia as a creative hub in Northern Sarawak and Borneo, nurturing award-winning collaborations,” said Dr. Ngu Ik Ying, Head of the Department of Media and Communication.
A unique feature of the festival is the inclusion of student works from Curtin University’s global campuses and creative research presentations by academics to exhibit their practice-based film research outputs.
The festival also aims to support young and novice filmmakers by providing opportunities for showcasing their work, mentorship, and industry connections.
“We are exploring innovative approaches to film festivals to benefit our students, scholars, and the local communities, blending theoretical criticism with creative production and expression,” she added.
KFF will feature three categories: Student (secondary school/university), Open (public/aspiring filmmakers), and Special (creative researchers). The event is open to all Malaysians, free of charge, and welcomes international students and expatriates working in Malaysia.
Screenings are scheduled at the Department’s mini theater, Cinema Lite, and Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri. The latter will host pre-event activities including talks on screen creativity and digital storytelling, alongside screenings of previous year’s award-winning films.
Participants interested in submitting short films or documentaries, especially with Sarawak or Borneo content can do so until March 31 via the submission form at https://bit.ly/KenyalangFilmFest.
For further information, follow @mprojectcurtinmalaysia on Instagram or contact the organizing chairperson, Skyler Goh, at +60168763373.
