KUCHING: Sarawak filmmakers should strive to produce more quality productions to tap into the profitable creative industry not only domestically but internationally.
Deputy chairman of Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (AZAM Sarawak) Datuk Norhyati Ismail said that local filmmakers, especially those in the creative department, need to intensify their learning to upgrade their knowledge and skills in the field.
Norhyati, who is also the chairman of Sarawak Media Group (SMG), pointed out that an essential skill in filmmaking is storytelling or writing which local filmmakers should strive to master to be on par with the best filmmakers in the industry.
She was officiating at a half day Masterclass Programme with Filmmakers organised by AZAM Sarawak and the United States (US) Embassy in Kuala Lumpur (KL) in collaboration with TV Sarawak (TVS) yesterday.
At the event, the Cultural Affairs Officer of the US Embassy KL Katherine Diop highlighted the importance of filmmaking in terms of digital economy and economic empowerment and telling stories.
“I would also like to encourage all of you as filmmakers to continue to help Sarawakians to tell their stories using the art of filmmaking,” Katherine added.
About 100 participants attended the programme that featured award-winning documentary filmmakers from the US, namely Izzy Chan, whose interests include looking at life-changing cultural and social trends, and Carolyn Jones, who specialises in telling stories that shed light on issues of global concern.
Participants of the programme comprised private and independent production houses, personnel of government and government linked agencies, broadcasters, social media influencers as well as university lecturers and students in creative arts and films.
