KUCHING: Two Year Five pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan Temong in Serian brought pride to Sarawak when they won the Best Film by Popular Jury in the primary school category at the Festival de Cinema Escola de Alvorada (FECEA) or Alvorada International Schools Film Festival held in Brazil recently.
Sarawak Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, in congratulating Macgres Sawet and Nabiatul Dania Zulfiqa today, said that the state government was very proud of their achievement in wooing the judges with their short animation film titled 'B. B. Batuh Bijanji' (The Promised Stones) in the Bidayuh language.
FECEA is an international festival organised in Brazil since 2014 that recognises audio visual works at the school level.
He also praised the teachers, Wan Zulfadli Ad-Dinnie Wan Azmi and Mohd Reduan Patah, who guided them throughout the 10-day production of the short film, which applied the rotoscoping technique that is popular among young people who aspire to become Hollywood-like animators.
"The story-line of their short animation film is simply beautiful as it is about two childhood friends, Bibi and Sarah, who form a beautiful friendship after a meeting when one of them is grieving.
"It is about the young generation who treasure friendships that withstand the test of time.
"We are also delighted to see that there are over 1,000 views of the short film even though it was only posted on YouTube about three weeks ago. It has the potential to encourage more of our local youngsters to follow suit in producing award-winning films or videos," he said.
Meanwhile, he also called on those who would like to venture into the creative industry to apply for grants and assistance from the Sarawak Youth Creative Industry Fund (SYCIF) under his ministry.
He said that the fund, which was introduced by the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg last year, was aimed at providing support and assistance to local talented youths wishing to venture into the creative industry.
"We hope that both Macgres and Nabiatul will continue to be inspired and to further develop their talents in film making because, even at their young age, they have done us proud through their works, which have also been shortlisted for the Best Animation (School) Award," he added.
The movie was previously named as one of the best 11 Asia Short Films in 2019 under the #SubmitYourFilm initiative by an online movies website, Asian Movie Pulse. -- Bernama