KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur International Film Academy Awards (KLIFAA) 2024 chairman and former Deputy Minister Tan Sri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar has urged the government to ensure that censorship does not offend the cultural sensitivities of minorities.
At the launch of KLIFAA 2024 in the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya today, Tengku Azlan said that while censorship was necessary to "rid dramas and films of sensitive topics" the Film Censorship Board should not cut scenes that depict the cultural and religious practices of non-Muslim minorities and "unintentionally offend fellow Malaysians."
"Censorship is necessary, but it should never be too rigid. We must always be mindful of the feelings of non-Muslim Malaysians, and therefore 'over-censoring' scenes of their ways of life is counter-productive to the government's efforts to promote national unity," said Tengku Azlan.
Tengku Azlan also said that individuals manning the board should be "more open-minded" and less "scissor-happy" when censoring movies and dramas.
"If we over-censor movies and dramas, international film companies might think that we are a closed-minded and extreme conservative country, and that is just not what our founding fathers wanted."
Tengku Azlan said that Saudi Arabia, a country once known for its ultra-conservative lifestyle, was gradually "opening up" and Malaysia should not "move in the opposite direction."
"We are known around the world as a moderate nation, so our censors should always bear this in mind. If there are sound guidelines for censorship, they should follow such guidelines closely and not censor more than what is necessary."
KLIFAA will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Jalan Pinang from Aug 7 to 11 and will involve films from more than 20 countries. It aims to be a platform for cultural exchange and besides film screenings it will also have masterclasses and panel discussions.
Themed Inspiring Brilliance, Igniting Passion, the annual event will open its doors to drama and film entries from March 1 to May 31.
There will be 16 Film Award categories, 11 Television Drama Award categories, 4 Documentary Award categories, 4 Short Film Award categories, 7 Special Mention Award categories, and 7 Entertainment Journalism Award categories.
The launch was also attended by KLIFAA president Dr Hasan Hamzah, festival director Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba, vice chairman Datuk Afdlin Shauki, executive director Zafor Firoze, programme director Zaini Hassan, National Film Development Corporation (Finas) chairman Datuk Kamil Othman, Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib and Creative Content Association of Malaysia (CCAM) chief executive officer Datuk Mahyidin Mustakim.
For enquiries and submissions, visit www.klifaa.com.