COME one, come all! Grab some popcorn too, if you will. The Malaysian International Film Festival (MIFFEST 2017), which is happening now till Saturday, will see the screening of some of the best films from around the world.
Film buffs can catch The Salesman (Iran), which won Best Foreign Film at the recently-concluded Academy Awards; I, Daniel Blake (the UK); Happiness (Hong Kong); The Summer Is Gone (China); The Road To Mandalay (Taiwan); and Ma’ Rosa (The Philippines).
Others include a hit of our very own, Tunku Mona Riza’s Redha, a Philippines and Malaysian joint production Singing In Graveyards (directed by Bradley Liew), and Singapore’s The Apprentice (directed by Boo Jun Feng).
All the films will be screened at GSC Nu Sentral Shopping Centre, TGV Sunway Velocity, TGV KLCC and mmCineplexes@eCurve.
The inaugural MIFFEST 2017, which kicked off last Tuesday, at Nu Sentral Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur was attended by local and international stars including actresses Datuk Lai Meng, Sarah Lian and Yeo Yann Yann; German actor Arved Friese; German director Andreas Dresen; Indonesian director Garin Nugroho; and Malaysian directors Bradley Liew and Ho Yuhang.
However, festival’s ambassador, actress Lee Sin-jie was not present due to unforeseen circumstances.
The highlight of MIFFEST 2017 is the awards show – Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA) – to be held on March 5 at the Arena Of Stars, Resorts World Genting in Genting Highlands.
At the awards, Malaysian fantasy thriller Interchange will be up against 17 other films from across the globe including entries from Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Italy.
Interchange is nominated in three categories — Best Cinematography (Jordan Chiam), Best Screenplay (Redza Minhat and Dain Said) and Best Film.
Among the films competing are Toni Erdmann (Germany), The Wailing (South Korea), Ma’ Rosa (the Philippines), One Night Only (China), The Road To Mandalay (Taiwan), Apprentice (Singapore), Happiness (Hong Kong), Hema Hema: Sing Me A Song While I Wait (Bhutan/Hong Kong), I Am Not Madame Bovary (China), I, Daniel Blake (the UK), and Mad World (Hong Kong).
A special award will be also be given out – Lifetime Achievement in Films.
There is also the Audience Choice award where moviegoers can vote for their favourite film by dropping their ticket stubs into the respective voting boxes outside the participating cinema halls.
According to South Korean filmmaker, Kim Dong-ho, it is an honour to be MIFFEST 2017’s jury president.
“Malaysia cinema carries the most significant in terms of languages and cultural diversity. I hope that MIFFEST will continue its role in expanding the diversity of world cinema,” said Kim, who is also the awards’ jury chairman.
Joining Kim on the jury panel are Dresen, Prof Xie Fei (China), Yeh Ju Feng (Taiwan) and Singapore-based actress Yeo Yann Yann (Malaysia).
Yeo says she enjoys the process of filmmaking despite the hard work.
“There’s just so much of energy and effort invested in one film. To see the film unfold before your eyes is just magical,” she said.
Yeo is set to appear in Saw Teong Hin’s You Mean The World To Me, slated for a nationwide release in May.
MIFFEST 2017 is organised by Jazzy Group of Companies, with the support of the National Film Development Corporation (Finas).
For more information on the festival, visit www.miffest.com.my and for the complete nomination list, visit www.mgga.com.my