KUCHING: An inaugural Asean Film Festival and Award 2013 (Aiffa) will help to promote Sarawak as an
international filming destination and also boost its tourism industry.
Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said film producers from Asean countries would be taking part in the three-day festival from March 28 to 30 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.
“We hope to promote Sarawak as a state where there are lots of potential locations they can use for shooting films although great publicity is needed to promote such places.
“We have much to offer with our diverse cultures and backgrounds for them to use as their filming locations,” Abang Johari told reporters after a meeting with members of Yayasan Artis 1Malaysia and Persatuan Penyanyi Anak Sarawak on Wednesday night.
He added that Sarawak had many places with interesting historical background and beautiful natural environment for making films such as Batang Ai, Borneo Highlands and Bakun HEP.
Touching on the (festival) preparations, Abang Johari, who is also housing minister said 10 Asean countries would be taking part in the festival and among those which had sent entries were Thailand, the Philippine, Indonesia and Singapore.
He said that Vietnam would be sending a representative as an observer.
“The festival is also expected to attract about 120 producers, three delegations from Bollywood and two from Hollywood.
“Some of the delegates will come early and will head to several places here to see for themselves what is in store for them.
Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Asean Film Festival promotes Sarawak as filming destination
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