KUCHING, April 1- After three days of its running, the Asean International Film Festival & Awards (AIFFA) event, held for the first time in Malaysia, came to a close last night. The festival which began on March 28, here, showcased films from Hollywood and Bollywood, as well as Asean countries.
Sarawak Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg regards AIFFA 2013 as successfully organised and having achieved its objectives.
“The response has beeen very encouraging and the objectives met by holding this festival in Sarawak, where everybody from especially the Asean countries, submitting their films.
“Tonight’s occasion indeed reflects the good relations between people in the film industry and also with the government of Malaysia and the Sarawak government as the host,” he told a news conference after the awards presentation ceremony at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, last night.
Abang Johari said through the discussions with him during the festival, some of the local and foreign film producers and delegates expressed their interest to make Sarawak their filming location.
“They seemed keen to collaborate and see the potential that Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, can offer.” He said Malaysian-born international movie star Datuk Seri Michelle Yeoh also had a discussion on producing a film revolving environmental conservation and there would be further discussion with the state government.
At the closing of the festival, Malaysia won four awards, namely for best screenplay, best actor, and best film in the comedy and action categories. The best screenplay award went to Dain Iskandar Said in “Bunohan”, while Shaheizy Sam won the best actor award for his role in “Songlap”.
The best film award in the comedy category was won by “Istanbul Aku Datang”, directed by Bernard Chauly, while “Songlap”, directed by Effendee Mazlan and Fariza Azlina Isahak, took top honours in the action movie category.
List of AIFFA 2013 winners:
1. Best Screenplay – “Bunohan” – Dain Iskandar Said (Malaysia)
2. Best Film Editing – “Sang Martir” – Cesa Luckmansyah (Indonesia)
3. Best Film Photography – “Rayya” – Rahmat Ipung Syaiful (Indonesia)
4. Best Supporting Actor – Bugoy Carino (Philippines)
5. Best Supporting Actress – Anita Linda (Philippines)
6. Best Actor – Shaheizy Sam (Malaysia)
7. Best Actress – Alessandra De Rossi (Philippines)
8. Best Film (Comedy) – “Istanbul Aku Datang” (Malaysia)
9. Best Film (Drama) – “Sta Nina” (Philippines)
10. Best Film (Action) – “Songlap” (Malaysia)
11. Best Director – “Atambua 39 Derajat Celcius” (Indonesia)
12. Asean Spirit Award – “Cinta Tapi Beda” (Indonesia)
13. Special Jury Award 1 – “Kayan Beauties” (Myamnmar)
14. Special Jury Award 2 – “Rectroverso” (Indonesia)
15. Special Jury Award 3 – “Ada Apa Dengan Rina” (Brunei)
16. Special Jury Award 4 – Taxi! Taxi! (Singapore)
17. Special Honour – “Hanyut” (Malaysia)
18. AIFFA Lifetime Achievement Award – Datuk Seri Michelle Yeoh
BERNAMA
