KUCHING: The Asean International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa) 2015 on Saturday night was a glitzy affair.
On the red carpet were celebrities and other film industry personalities from 10 countries, including Malaysia.
Instantly recognisable faces included international movie star Datuk Jackie Chan and Malaysian-born international actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh.
Non-stop camera flashes fired at the red carpet as journalists captured arrivals and fans rubber-necked for a glimpse of their favourite stars. It was the closest thing to the Academy Awards here in Kuching, and instead of a golden man, there were svelte minimalist hornbill trophies waiting to go home with worthy owners.
From the viewing balcony at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), around 30 members of the local media occupied the front row seats, resplendent in their best attempt at the de rigueur ‘black tie’ dress code and a little baffled that they were sharing the seating area with Kuchingites who were dressed for a day at the beach.
Nonetheless, these ‘beachcombers’ cheered loudly when Malaysia’s entry ‘Terbaik Dari Langit’ was named Best Film and its lead actor Bront Palare crowned Best Actor.
The crowd also went wild when Jackie Chan left his seat at the main table to present singer Dasha Logan with a flower. There was some friendly banter between him and Michelle Yeoh about making a movie they’ve been talking about for 30 years.
When Jackie was awarded the freshly-minted Asean Inspiration Award, he gamely promised to continue hurting himself making more action movies.
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