Destination Sabah for film fest

THE upcoming Malaysian Film Festival 22 (FFM22) will see the prestigious awards ceremony being held outside Peninsula Malaysia for the first time since it was first held in 1980.

Expected to be held at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), FFM22 is jointly organised by Malaysian Film Distributors Association (PFM), Gabungan Persatuan Karyawan Filem Malaysia (Gafim), Finas and Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment. Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said Sabah was chosen to host the event so as to enhance the film industry in the State.

“I believe the people of Sabah will gain a lot from the event. Besides providing more opportunities for the people to enjoy free movie previews, they can also take part in various industry courses which will be held there in conjunction with FFM22,” said Mohd Shafie during the launch ceremony held recently.

He added that from the courses, the people of Sabah would be able to gain more information and knowledge about the industry.

“Perhaps, we can also produce more newcomers for the industry and I believe this effort will go a long way in improving the quality of the local film industry.”

With the theme Filem Malaysia Ke Persada Dunia (Malaysian Films On The World Stage), FFM22 is set to be held from Aug 5 to 8.

The event will see various local films competing for 13 Premier Awards and 12 Cipta Awards in various categories such as Documentary Film, Animation Film, Short Film and Digital Film category.

One new category has also been introduced in this year’s FFM22 which is Best Comedy Film.
Five Special Jury Awards will also be presented in the Veteran Awards (Male/Female), Box-Office
Film Awards and Anugerah Belakang Tabir.

Twenty films have made the FFM22 list so far, such as animation movie Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula, Cicakman : Planet Hitam, Jangan Tegur, Senario The Movie: Episode 1, Maut, Kami The Movie, Sifu & Tongga, Talentime and Los Dan Faun.