Kakiseni Revives BOH Cameronian Arts Awards

• 9th annual arts awards to mark come-back with a bang
• Lat: Kampung Boy heads nominee list
• Bunohan’s Zahiril Adzim and Nam Ron nominated Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively

Kakiseni, Malaysia’s premier online arts portal has announced the return of the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. The awards which first appeared in 2002, recognised achievements in the performing arts until it made its eighth and final curtain call in 2009. Its resurrection this year continues that tradition with an awards ceremony to celebrate the best performances of 2011.

“There are a many great and exciting things to look forward to with the upcoming BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. BOH is indeed privileged to reprise our role and we look forward to working with Kakiseni to nurture and recognise talent in the industry. We have been treated to many outstanding performances, be it dance, musicals or theatre. Our sincere congratulations to this year’s nominees and we look forward to your continuous efforts to entertain, challenge, provoke, engage, impact and enlighten us with your art,” said Caroline Russell, CEO of BOH Plantations.

Kakiseni’s Low Ngai Yuen said: “We are thrilled to be able to bring the awards back with our title sponsor, BOH. Despite the award’s absence, the Malaysian performing arts industry continued to produce good quality productions and this year’s awards is all about honouring that.”

Also on board to support the award this year is balloting partner PwC, that will be responsible for the tabulation of votes at the final judging stage.

“The Boh Cameronian Awards is a wonderful way to celebrate the Malaysian performing arts industry and those who have contributed to it. We’re pleased to be on board yet again – it’s our way of showing our support,” said Eric Ooi, partner, PwC.

The BOH Cameronian Arts Awards is also proud to welcome back its continuing sponsors Alexis and Astro.

Nominations in 36 categories will be judged by 20 independent dance, music, musical theatre and theatre professionals appointed by the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards administration committee. The list of nominees is attached with this media release and is also available at www.kakiseni.com.

Leading the list of nominees with 12 nominations is last year’s hit musical “Lat: Kampung Boy – Sebuah Musical”, followed closely by Tiara Jacquelina’s “The Secret Life of Nora” also with 12 nominations. Musical, “Terima Kasih Cinta” and play, “Short Eyes” received 8 nominations each.

Choreographer Pat Ibrahim dominates in the Musical Theatre category, receiving five nominations, of which three are for Best Choreography; and one each for Best Original Book/Lyrics and Best Direction.

Two stars of critically-acclaimed film Bunohan, Zahiril Adzim and Nam Ron were also recognised for their performances in the drama, “Short Eyes”. Zahiril is in the running for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Theatre) for his portrayal of an imprisoned pedophile while Nam Ron received a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Theatre) for his role as inmate, Ben “Ice” Jefferson.

In Dance, the contemporary ballet, “Fragile” received six nominations which includes three nominations in Best Featured Performer for Chew Zi Xin, Steve Goh, and Wong Jyh Shyong. The JSDance Theatre production is also in the running for Best Group Performance, Best Set Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Styling & Make-Up.

“This year’s nominations demonstrate that the Malaysian performing arts scene continues to grow with a mix of new and seasoned talent,” Low said. “This is exactly what the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards is all about – unveiling and recognising Malaysian talent. ”

In line with Kakiseni’s mission to spur audience development and participation, four outstanding categories will be given the Kakiseni Audience Choice Awards.

Malaysian fans and arts lovers can cast their vote for their favourite Dance, Music, Musical Theatre and Theatre performances of 2011 at awards.kakiseni.com by 26 April 2012.

The 9th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards will be held on 10 April 2012 for the technical awards and on 29 April 2012 for the other awards.

Kakiseni was founded in 2001 by Jenny Daneels and Kathy Rowland as an online arts magazine and is now led by Low Ngai Yuen since 2010.

The BOH Cameronian Arts Awards was founded in 2002 to raise the profile of the arts in Malaysia and to recognise outstanding achievements in the performing arts. It is the only arts award which considers dance, music, musical theatre and theatre in Malaysia. This event is sponsored by BOH Cameronian Tea, the premium tea of BOH Plantations.

The BOH Cameronian Arts Awards 2011 Judging Committee: