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Never before has Kuching seen a film festival on this scale with the talent and variety of 20 directors who are flying in to present their films at this festival.This 6-day gathering of 13 nations include Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, India, Equador, Africa, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, United States of America, Panama, Canada and Thailand. Over the 6- days, 50 films will be screened, including short documentary films and feature length films.
The purpose of this event is to provide a platform to the regional and international indigenous filmmakers to present their work, reach out to a wider audience and to form collaborations and networks.
The International Indigenous Film Festival Kuching will be presented at the 3rd Rainforest Fringe Festival which will showcase an 8 – day programme, aimed at encouraging both locals and visitors, of all ages,to immerse in Sarawak’s rich culture and heritage.
The International Indigenous Film Festival was started in 2018 by Emmanuela Shinta and David Metcalf in Bali. It has travelled to Bhubaneswar in India and Kalimantan, before making this forthcoming stop in Kuching as part of RFF2019.
This film festival will be attended by 20 filmmakers who will showcase their work with selected Q&A sessions allowing for discussions between the filmmakers, the public and students. This is more than a watching a film screening, this is an opportunity to explore the issues at a deeper level.
The Indigenous films and videos that will be screened include Ngera’, Musical Healer of the Land,Niyamgiri: Mountain of Law, MTV News: Guardian of the Forest, The Gravedigger of Kapua, Aliko Ambai and Amai Bulan (Iman untuk Bulan).
Ngera’ is directed by Timotius (Kalimantan, Indonesia) and this film is about the Dayak Seberuang tribe that believes that paddy is the source of life (spirit) and an amazing grace from the Almighty. Musical Healer of the Land is a film from Taiwan, directed by Ado Kaliting Pacidal. The film is about two
indigenous musicians who sailed across the seas to express the wisdom of the seas, mountains and forests, exchanging the influences of their island cultures through traditional singing and instruments.
Niyamgiri: Mountain of Law is directed by Surya Shankar (India) and highlights the ongoing struggle for land rights and justice in India. A short video from Rory Moon, produced by MTV News & Ranu Welum Media (Kalimantan Indonesia), MTV News: Guardians of the Forest, covers the stories and efforts of these heroes to save their forest and protect their people.
The Gravedigger of Kapua is a short documentary directed by Libby Hakaraia (New Zealand). This documentary is about the last gravedigger in a Maori community who is struggles to find a younger man to whom he can pass on his skills and knowledge.Â
Aliko Ambai is a feature film directed by Diane Anton and Mark Eby (Papua New Guinea). It follows the story of two young women who face some challenges growing up in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea and includes tribal conflict, forced marriage, poverty, bullying and domestic violence.
Amai Bulan (Iman untuk Bulan), a feature documentary (comedy-drama) directed by Dain Iskandar(Kenyah, Malaysia), is a quirky East Malaysia story which unravels in Kuala Lumpur through a sape’ thatvows to mend broken promises and broken dreams with a dash of love, magic and music.
The standard ticket price is RM30 and RM15 for the senior citizens and students.
About Rainforest Fringe Festival 2019
Taking place from 5 – 12 July 2019, the 3rd edition of Rainforest Fringe Festival (RFF), willshowcase the very best of Sarawak’s music, art, craft, film, photography, food, andculture/heritage. Hosted by the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth & Sports, and in collaboration with the Sarawak Tourism Board, Rainforest Fringe Festival (RFF) is held as a prelude to the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF).
#rffsarawak
www.rainforestfringe.com
About The Indigenous Film Festival
The festival allows for indigenous film makers to meet, collaborate, share their films, inspire each other and ensure the voice of indigenous people reaches a larger audience. Using film as a way to tell stories to strengthen heritage and cultural identity in the indigenous communities.
We hope the film festival will be a wellspring of inspiration, solutions, renewal, community and hope, as we welcome indigenous people from Indonesia and various countries.
