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#Showbiz: Wisma Putra to work with embassies to showcase documentaries, short films around the world

KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry (Wisma Purta) is planning to organise documentary and short film festivals for its 107 embassies and consulates around the world in an effort to bolster bilateral ties, as well as to promote and provide exposure for Malaysian arts, music and culture on a global stage.

Its cultural secretary Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri said that the festivals were expected to take place within the first half of the year.

"We have 107 embassies and consulates around the world, so it is time to use them to promote the best products that we've created for viewers overseas.

"We see foreign embassies here in Malaysia from Japan, South Korea, France and many more frequently organising documentary or short film festivals.  

"They always invite us to come and participate in these events. Actually, these are efforts to introduce their culture to us.

"This indirectly gave me the idea to do the same. For me, it would be a waste not to take this opportunity since we already have the platform. An initiative like this hasn't been carried out before," he said in a news report today.

Ahmad Idham added that the ministry was keen to proceed with this effort and he would be flying to China, Turkey and South Korea soon to make the necessary arrangements.

Talking about the festival, he explained that his team was currently waiting for a content presentation from the Malaysian Documentary Association (MyDocs) and Digital Creative Content Creators Associations of Malaysia (DCAM).

"We are waiting for MyDocs and DCAM to present the works. We will curate between 10 to 20 productions before moving forward with the organisation of the festival.

"If we were to wait for new works to be produced with grants, we wouldn't know when these productions would be ready.

"So the fastest way is to utilise readily available documentaries and short films, since they also have not been screened overseas before.

"However, the chosen productions must be on the same level with international standards in order for the embassies to promote them to the locals in those foreign nations," he said.

Ahmad Idham added that the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) had previously organised the Malaysia Film Festival overseas in nations like the UK and Australia but these were only attended by Malaysians there.

"This current initiative spearheaded by Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah is quite different since it is a collaboration with foreign embassies.

"This is one of the best methods to strengthen bilateral ties by promoting Malaysian culture.

"After this, we will help Finas to promote local feature films overseas in line with the available budget," he said.

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