SIBU: The ‘Sibu As Malaysia Film Destination’ campaign will kick off in January 2015 in Kuala Lumpur to promote the riverine town as a film city.
Disclosing this, Sarawak Dayak Filmmaking Association president Benny Zachariah said their modest target was firstly to bring filmmakers from Kuala Lumpur to see what Sibu has to offer, especially for Malay and Chinese drama production.
“We will invite 50 local production houses based in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. In the eyes of filmmakers, Sibu is more than just a timber town for it has many ideal locations for film shooting.
“Some examples of good locations include Bukit Aup Jubilee Park, Bawang Assan Homestay and the surrounding town area (which is good for fast action movie or drama), boat terminal express and Rajang Basin area,” Benny told The Borneo Post after their 57th Merdeka Dinner Concert at a leading hotel here recently.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Joseph Entulu officiated at the function.
Benny believed the timber town could be turned into a film city but would need the cooperation of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and Tourism Ministry.
Earlier, the organising chairman and advisor to the association, Patrick Jay Jay, said the association planned to organise a donation drive to purchase an official van.
Patrick added the purchase of the van would do wonders for them.
“The proposed van to carry 16 passengers which costs about RM82,000 will be used for the association’s daily and monthly activities,” he said in opening remarks.
He pointed out that with the availability of the van, they could bring producers and directors around, promoting to them the ideal shooting locations in Sarawak.
He reckoned this would also augur well for the state’s tourism industry.
Meanwhile, he disclosed that the Asia-Pacific International Tourism Awards 2014 which was scheduled this year, has been postponed to 2016.
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