Visitors invited to experience Taiping's heritage during Raintown Film Festival

 

FILM enthusiasts and tourists are invited to Taiping next month for a three-day celebration of cinema and culture. 

The Raintown Film Festival 2026 returns for its third edition from Sept 4 to 6 at Paragon Cinemas in Taiping Mall — uniting Malaysian filmmakers, emerging talents, industry practitioners, and film lovers through screenings, knowledge-sharing sessions and cultural activities. 

Supporting partner West Coast Expressway (WCE) encourages travellers to use the new highway to visit the town know for its heritage and heavy rain, which is the inspiration for the festival's name. 

WCE managing director Lyndon Alfred Felix noted that their support reflects a commitment to domestic tourism and local economic growth. 

"With one month remaining, we encourage the public to plan their journeys early and take the opportunity to experience the festival while exploring the many tourist attractions, local food and heritage sites that make Taiping a truly special destination," he said, adding that the festival has strong potential to draw more visitors to benefit local businesses. 

This year's event sees a significant surge in interest, receiving 152 submissions for the Raintown Short Film Competition — a 48 per cent increase from last year's 103 entries.

Out of these, 20 finallists were chosen to compete across eight award categories. 

The festival schedule includes screenings of four Malaysian feature films: 'Circus of Life', 'Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow', 'Goodbye Boys', and 'Men Who Save the World'. 

Each screening will feature a Q&A session with the filmmakers. 

Additionally, attendees can look forward to a guided experience at Bukit Larut and a screening of the documentary 'The Island School: The Story of SJK(C) Aik Hua', which highlights a tiny rural school's journey to maintain access to education. 

In a first, the festival is collaborating with IACT College's School of Media and Creative Communication to offer young filmmakers a platform to showcase their work and connect with industry pros. 

Beyond the theatre, visitors are encouraged to explore local highlights like the Taiping Lake Gardens and Bukit Larut. 

The Raintown Film Festival 2026 is organised by WuBen Film Magazine and Studio 1914, supported by the Perak government, cultural agency Port Ipoh, elected representatives, industry organisations and community partners. Tickets are available now via CloudJoi.

-nst online.

Tourism Malaysia Partners With Brainchild Pictures For "Itam: A Sun Bear Story" Documentary Premiere

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Tourism Malaysia and Brainchild Pictures are proud to announce the Malaysian premiere of "ITAM: A Sun Bear Story", the nation's first feature-length wildlife documentary, ahead of its nationwide theatrical release on 23 July 2026. 

Produced by Brainchild Pictures, "ITAM: A Sun Bear Story" marks a significant milestone as the first Malaysian feature documentary to be released simultaneously in Bahasa Malaysia, English, and Mandarin. To ensure consistency and a unified emotional depth, all three versions are narrated by the renowned TV personality and host, Mr Baki Zainal, making the film highly accessible to audiences from diverse linguistic backgrounds. 

As one of the most biodiverse nations in the world, Malaysia is home to the Malayan Sun Bear, which is the smallest bear species globally and a significant symbol of the rich natural heritage of the country. The species has also been selected as a key icon for the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign through its official mascots, Wira and Manja, perfectly reflecting Malaysia's identity as a vibrant, welcoming, and environmentally conscious destination. 

Filmed across the spectacular pristine rainforests of Sabah, the documentary follows the inspiring journey of Itam, a rescued sun bear, from her initial rehabilitation at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) to her eventual return to the wild. Through stunning cinematography and heartfelt storytelling, the documentary offers audiences a rare glimpse into one of the world's least-studied bear species and the dedicated conservation efforts that give these animals a second chance at life. 

The film prominently showcases some of Malaysia's most remarkable natural landscapes and eco-tourism sites, including the BSBCC in Sepilok and the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Highlighting these locations reinforces Sabah's position as one of the world's premier destinations for wildlife conservation and nature-based tourism. 

The nationwide theatrical release follows a series of exclusive gala premieres held across Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu. These events bring together government leaders, conservationists, filmmakers, tourism stakeholders, educators, and members of the public to celebrate a landmark achievement for both Malaysian cinema and wildlife conservation. 

Beyond its entertainment value, "ITAM: A Sun Bear Story" aims to inspire greater public appreciation for biodiversity, environmental stewardship, and responsible tourism practices. The film effectively demonstrates how compelling storytelling can foster deeper connections between people and nature while encouraging active support for conservation efforts that safeguard Malaysia's unique wildlife. 

Tourism Malaysia continues to welcome strategic initiatives that showcase the nation's diverse tourism offerings through meaningful stories and shared experiences. In line with VM2026 campaign, "ITAM: A Sun Bear Story" is set to further strengthen Malaysia's global reputation as a premium destination where visitors can experience not only breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural heritage, but also globally significant conservation work. 

This strategic promotional push aligns seamlessly with the exceptional upward trajectory of the national tourism sector. Throughout 2025, Malaysia recorded 42.2 million international visitor arrivals, representing an increase of 11.2 per cent compared to the 38.0 million arrivals captured in 2024. This robust growth has successfully extended into the current year, with Malaysia recording 17.5 million visitor arrivals from January until May 2026, marking a 3.4 per cent growth compared to the 16.9 million arrivals recorded during the corresponding period last year.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Langkawi International Film Fest set to make island a cinematic paradise

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The idyllic island of Langkawi is set to transform into Asia's newest cinematic hub with the debut of the Langkawi International Film Festival (LIFF) 2026. 

Scheduled for next May, the event aims to redefine the festival circuit by introducing a multi-faceted model that seamlessly weaves together film screenings, creative industry exchanges, cultural programmes, and bespoke film-based tourism experiences. 

To add a touch of glamour to the proceedings, organisers are planning to bring in a glittering array of Bollywood stars to enliven the atmosphere.

The festival's global appeal is already evident, having attracted a staggering 5,680 film entries from 120 countries ahead of its opening. 

LIFF 2026 President, Dr Ferri Anugerah Makmur, confirmed that the three-day inaugural edition will kick off on May 2, perfectly coinciding with the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026 celebrations. 

"I am confident that this international event will help enliven VMY 2026," he remarked, adding that a lineup of international artistes has already confirmed their attendance.

The ambitious project enjoys robust backing from a consortium of stakeholders, including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), the Kedah State Government, and the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada), alongside Anugerah Makmur Resources.

-nst online.

IT’S “WORTH THE WAIT”, TOURISM MALAYSIA SUPPORTS THE HEARTWARMING NEW ROMCOM RELEASE IN MALAYSIA

 

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 JULY 2025 – Tourism Malaysia is excited and proudly announces its official support for the highly anticipated feature film,“Worth The Wait”. This heartwarming romantic comedy film celebrates Asian talent, cross-border love and the beauty of cultural connection. 

The red carpet premiere is held at DADI Cinema in Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, attracting an audience of 200 guests. The event features special appearances by cast members and filmmakers who have traveled from as far as the U.S., Canada, Taiwan, and Singapore. This film also marks the acclaimed Taiwanese director Tom Shu-Yu Lin’s English-language debut. 

The star-studded ensemble features Ross Butler (13 Reasons Why), Lana Condor (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise ), Andrew Koji (Black Doves), Sung Kang (Fast and The Furious franchise ), Elodie Yung (The Cleaning Lady), Karena Ka-Yan Lam—an acclaimed multiple Golden Horse Award-winning actress from Hong Kong and Taiwan making her U.S. and English language debut— Osric Chau (Supernatural), Kheng Hua Tan (Crazy Rich Asians), and Yu-Beng Lim (Rebel Moon). 

Filmed in part across various locations in Malaysia, the film represents an on-going effort to promote Asian representation in North America. It also serves to spotlight Malaysia’s diverse natural beauty, cultural richness and warm hospitality which attributes that continue to distinguish the nation as a world-class travel destination. 

Director General of Tourism Malaysia, YBhg. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, stated: “We are hoping a heartwarming films like Worth The Wait will inspire audiences worldwide to come visit and explore Malaysia for themselves. This collaboration is part of our broader strategy to integrate tourism with film and entertainment. Having films showcasing Malaysia is currently growing in the film industry which allows Malaysia to shine—both as a featured story and a filming location.” 

This partnership underscores Tourism Malaysia’s commitment in supporting creative industries which promotes Malaysian culture and tourism through compelling storytelling alongside visual media. It is also part of the national strategy to boost tourism in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. 

“Worth The Wait is not just an entertainment, but also a reflection on love, faith and hope,” said Rachel Tan, producer and former Miss Malaysia, who explained that the film is loosely based on her personal romance which blossomed through a long distance relationship between Malaysia and the United States, “Dan and I wanted to create something that celebrates our Asian identity while speaking to audience around the world—and the response so far has been incredibly encouraging.” 

This film marks a significant milestone for Malaysian cinema, being one of the few romantic dramas to achieve international theatrical and streaming success. It already has become a hit streaming original in Hollywood, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, which will soon premier in theatres across Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia. Meanwhile the film is set for theatrical release in Malaysia this August and will be distributed by Astro Shaw. 

Worth The Wait, produced by King Street Pictures, marks the company’s seventh cinematic release. Known for its emotionally charged narratives and dedication to diverse storytelling, King Street Pictures continues to champion Asian representation in global cinema. Building on several successful films, the studio remains committed to pushing creative boundaries and amplifying underrepresented voices in the industry.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Picture-perfect film settings in Johor

JOHOR BARU: Johor has beautiful islands off South China Sea, with white sandy beaches, million years old rain forest, mangroves and heritage buildings which make perfect settings for film productions.

On that note, state Women Development and Tourism Committee chairman Liow Cai Tung hoped local and international film producers would consider Johor as one of their locations for shooting films.

“We have state-of-the-art Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios for post-production and the state government fully supports film production companies planning to come to Johor,’’ she said in her speech during the opening of the 19th European Union Film Festival here.

Liow also commended efforts to bring the international film screening to Johor, outside the Klang Valley, adding that the move would give people in other states an opportunity to enjoy good films.

She said the screening of 21 critically acclaimed movies from 17 European countries would enable local film-goers to enjoy and experience foreign cultures and lifestyles through the silver screen.

The 19th European Union Film Festival started screening on Oct 18 and is on until Dec 12 in five major cities in the country, namely Georgetown, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

Among the films shown are The Young Karl Marx (France), Greetings From Fukushima (Japan), Man and A Baby (Finland), Friends by Chance (Italy) and Halal for Beginners (United States).

-thestar online.
http://tourism.johor.my/
https://www.pinewoodgroup.com/studios/pinewood-iskandar-malaysia-studios

How Malaysia became a big part of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’

Lights, camera, action: Part of the local filming crew for ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ shooting

the private island scene on a boat in Langkawi, Kedah. — Photo courtesy of Biscuit Films

PETALING JAYA: Just how much of Malaysia became a part of Hollywood film Crazy Rich Asians? A lot.

Magen Appathurai, a producer at Biscuit Films, a Petaling Jaya-based company that offers production support services to foreign companies looking to film in Malaysia, shared the locations in Malaysia which served as backdrops for the much talked-about movie.

“The movie producer Tim Coddington called and showed me pictures of mansions in Thailand. He asked if I could find any locations like that in Malaysia?” Magen said when contacted by The Star.

Magen pitched Carcosa Seri Negara for the setting of the fictional Tyersall Park estate, where movie protagonist Nick’s (Henry Golding) grandmother lives in a giant mansion.

“I said we had more in common with Singapore in terms of food, language and the way we looked,” he said.

“It would make more sense to try and ­create Singapore in Malaysia.”

Eventually, Magen convinced Coddington to forgo Thailand and film Crazy Rich Asians in Malaysia instead.

Apart from Carcosa Seri Negara, key locations in the movie include St Regis Kuala Lumpur (where character Astrid was introduced), Belanda house (scene for Eleanor’s bible study group) in Kuala Lumpur, and the Cheong Fatt Sze mansion (mahjong showdown between Eleanor and Rachel) in Penang.

In the film, there were scenes that took place in New York and London that were actually all filmed in Malaysia too!

“The opening hotel scene in London? That was filmed at E&O Hotel in Penang. The New York restaurant scene was actually filmed at BLVD House, Naza Towers at Platinum Park in KL.

“And the scene where Rachel is teaching her students in a university? That was in an auditorium in Putrajaya,” Magen shared.

Magen also revealed that the inside of an AirAsia plane in KLIA2 was used for a scene in the film.

“Do you remember this scene where all the socialites are waiting for their private jet? That was at an airport hangar in Subang Jaya,” he added.

A set for a luxurious first-class airline cabin was built for the film at the Malaysia International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC) in Serdang, Selangor.

A bachelor party scene which took place on a ship in the movie was also filmed in MIECC.

Parts of Langkawi in Kedah, especially the Four Seasons Hotel, were the setting for a private island getaway.

There is a scene that took place in Rawa Island that was also filmed in Langkawi.

He shared that the production company spent more than five weeks filming in Malaysia and about 120 local crew members were involved in the process.

Biscuit Films also engaged local casting director Jerrica Lai to provide acting talents for Crazy Rich Asians.

“That’s how the likes of Carmen Soo (who played a socialite) and Calvin Wong (the geeky brother to Peik Lin played by Awkwafina) became a part of the movie,” he said.

Magen said it felt good to see how Malaysia was featured in the movie.

“I hope that more support can be given to help us bring in more foreign productions into the country. It’s a positive thing because we can create more job opportunities, and get investments to improve facilities,” he said.

“Malaysia has so much to offer as a film location, and we need to let more people be aware of that.”

-thestar online.
http://www.malaysia.travel

Strengthening bilateral ties through sports

Looking to the future: Nazri (second from right) presenting a souvenir to Chinese Athletic Association chairman Duan Shijie after launching the Belt and Road Marathon Series 2017 – Malaysia Marathon in Beijing. With them are Duan’s deputy Du Zhaocai (left) and Tourism and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general (tourism) Nor Yahati Awang.

BEIJING: Malaysian and Chinese athletes are joining hands in friendship through sports in line with the Belt and Road initiative, which promotes globalisation.

To kick it off, they have jointly organised the Belt and Road Marathon Series 2017 – Malaysia Marathon, in the hope that the event will catch on in other parts of the world.

Proposed in China last year, it will be held in Malaysia later this year.

“We will rope in more countries later,” said Julius See of Wisdom Sports, which is organising the event with the support of the Tourism and Culture Ministry, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Chinese Athletic Association.

He said the race would be held at Dataran Merdeka on Oct 1, which is also China’s National Day.

At the launch ceremony yesterday, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said sports tourism had the potential to grow and could be promoted as a new product for Malaysia.

“We hope to attract 15,000 participants from within the country and 5,000 from overseas,” he said, adding that Malaysia was targeting revenue totalling RM40mil from the event.

Nazri said 2.12 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia last year.

He also witnessed the signing of an agreement for Malaysia to host the Belt and Road Film Cultural Festival and the Fourth Asia Rainbow TV Awards in March next year.

It was signed by Malaysia’s Juviter Group, Asia Rainbow TV Awards Committee and China Alliance of Radio, Film and Television Production Committee.

Previously, Malaysian Lee Ali won the Outstanding Cinematography award for the documentary Everest: 60th Anniversary in 2014 while Linger, the theme song for the Mandarin TV series Age of Glory 2 sung by Yise Loo, won Best Theme Song in 2011.

Nazri welcomed filmmakers to shoot in Malaysia, saying the country had plenty of beautiful scenery to offer.

“I hope you can make wonderful stories about Malaysia and capture our natural beauty,” he said.

He concluded his speech with a warm welcome to future guests in Mandarin, quoting Confucius: “You peng zi yuan fang lai, bu yi le hu (how delightful to have friends come from afar).”

-thestar online.

'Terbaik Dari Langit' wins Best Movie at AIFFA

KUCHING: Malaysia's Terbaik Dari Langit took Best Movie at the Asean International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA) here on Saturday. 

Bront Palarae clinched the Best Actor award.

Executive producer Najwa Abu Bakar said the success was a godsend for the movie, which was made amid an increasingly challenging domestic market.

"We will keep making movies although it's been quite a difficult home film market in the last two or three years. 

“I'm sure this is not an uncommon problem for other movie making brothers and sisters in Asean," Najwa told a press conference after the ceremony. 

Special guest Datuk Jackie Chan, who was visiting Borneo for the first time, was given the Asean Inspiration Award.

Accepting the prize, Chan said making movies was all he had known in his entire life.

"All those years, I only knew how to keep on making movies. I tried to do my best. I 'promised' to keep hurting myself if I must (in order) to make better movies," said the 61-year-old.

Chan quipped he could return to Sarawak to make a love story, but only with Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh as his romantic interest.

Of the 14 categories, the Filipino productions took home five gongs, which came as no surprise as movies from the country were nominated the most.

Joseph Laban won Best Director for Nuwebe, while Purok 7 took the Asean Spirit Award. 

Other wins for the Philippines were Bendor for Best Editing, and Cherie Gil's Best Actress Award for Sonata.

The Lifetime Achievement went to veteran Filipino actress Nora Aunor, who received the award from Yeoh, the previous winner.

The other major awards of the night went to Vietnam's Inseminator for Best Cinematography, Bruneian Nadiah Wahid took Best Supporting Actress, and Indonesian Ben Sihombing won Best Screenplay for Soekarno.

Special Jury Prizes were also presented to Singapore's The Lion Men and Thailand'sPee Mak.

Malaysian director U-Wei Saari led the five-member jury to judge 65 films from all 10 Asean member states.

"It took us two months to watch all the movies, which was a pleasure. I have been to Cambodia (via movies) without going to Cambodia, and have gone to Vietnam without having gone to Vietnam," U-Wei said.

"We saw that Asean movies tended to focus on social problems, but also on the strength of the people," he added.
 
Aiffa is held in Kuching biennially. 

Among VIPs present were production executives from China, South Korea, India and members of the Hong Kong International Film Festival organisers.

A China delegation announced its intention to set up tentative projects such as the Malaysia-China Production Hub and a theme Park in Kuching.

The Sarawak Government announced it would set up a unit within the state Tourism Ministry to see through the proposal and to help attract other television productions here.

-thestar online.

Sarawak Poise To Become Destination Of Choice For Asean, Asian Film Producers

http://www.aiffa2015.com/

KUCHING, April 10 (Bernama) -- With Sarawak again hosting the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa), the state is set to become the latest destination for more local and foreign film producers and directors for their films and documentaries.

State Tourism Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Ik Pahon said the prestigious biennial festival augured well for the state tourism and film industries.

The Chinese delegation, for instance, would visit the Bakun hydro dam area after the festival to check on possible sites for future film and documentary projects, he said when launching the Aiffa Film Biz World seminar and exhibition at the Sarawak Tourism Complex here today.

Some 14 film producers and directors are from China and 11 from Korea are among the 238 delegates, including from the 10 ASEAN countries who have arrived here for the festival being held from yesterday until this Sunday,

Later speaking to the media, Ik said this year's Aiffa was all the more special with the appearance of world film superstar Datuk Jacky Chan who would be flying in tonight.

Besides him, Malaysian very own Hollywood superstar Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh will also be coming.

Meanwhile, a love story film has been shot entirely in the Bako National Park and Santubong near here.

The film "Nota" (Note) starring Hans Issac and Maya Karim was shot in Bako National Park and the seaside village of Santubong by Japanese producer Yasu Tanaka who also wrote and directed it.

Nota debuts nationwide this August.

Tomorrow Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek is expected to officiate at the China Korea film forum in conjunction with Aiffa at the Sarawak Tourism Complex here.
-bernama.

ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards 2015

MOVIE MARATHON AND OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY ON 10th APRIL 2015 @SARAWAK CULTURAL VILLAGE

AIFFA2015 hosts the unique Movies In The Rainforest, a 12 hour film marathon in the acclaimed Sarawak Cultural Village. Film fans meet film makers and celebrities while enjoying films which are competing and selected by a team of jury comprising top film makers in ASEAN.

The film festival has been officially endorsed by all the ASEAN countries as the film festival for the region. The objectives of the festival are to recognize talents, build up the film industry and also to use film as a medium to know more about each other’s country, people and culture.

GALA NITE AND AWARDS 11th APRIL 2015 @BCCK

The grand finale is the Gala Night, held at the beautiful Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on 11th April 2015. A glittering night awaits guests as celebrities announce the winners for the 12 categories of awards. To-date, more than 50 films have been received for the Awards. The spectacular show ends with the Spirit of ASEAN Award, a film that portrays the best of ASEAN.
-http://www.ticketcharge.com.my

Malaysia to host first South Indian Cinematographers Association (SICA) Awards outside of India

Kuala Lumpur, 10 January 2015: Malaysia will host the prestigious South Indian Cinematographers Association (SICA) Awards 2015, an acclaimed awards event which honours cinematographers of the Indian movie industry and promotes young upcoming cameraman.  The awards will recognise Indian cinema’s best in five languages - Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi.

Supported by Malaysia Major Events, SICA 2015 will be held for the first time ever outside of India. The two-day event which will featured the Bollywood Star Musical Nite  and the SICA Awards Nite 2015will take place in Kuala Lumpur at Stadium Negara on the 9th and 10th of January 2015 respectively.  Both shows are organised jointly by the Malaysian Indian Sports and Cultural Foundation (MISCF) and Kassim Chin Humanity Foundation.

The proceeds from this event will be used by the organisers to develop local sports and cultural talents and activities which will benefit the younger Indian community in Malaysia. Given the recent floods in the country, a portion of the proceeds will also be contributed to flood relief works in the East Coast.

“Being selected as the first country outside of India to host the SICA Awards is testament to Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for top-class events as well as gives us the opportunity to increase global exposure on the unique experiences Malaysia has to offer, and this event complements our initiatives for the MyFest 2015 celebration” said Tony Nagamaiah, General Manager, Malaysia Major Events.

“We applaud MISCF and the Kassim Chin Humanity Foundation for their initiative in bringing in this event and giving such an honour to Malaysia as well as in their bid to help the less fortunate,” added Nagamaiah.

This event will provide fans a wonderful opportunity to experience the magic and excitement of Indian cinema brought to live on stage. Around 13,000 international visitors are expected to attend these two star-studded shows with an estimated tourist expenditure contribution of close to RM20 million.

Fans will be entertained with dazzling dance and musical performances and comedy sketches by their favourite Indian artistes during the Bollywood Star Musical Nite. The show is set to bring together some of the biggest names in Indian cinema including Amitabah Bachan, Kamal Hassan,  Saif Ali Khan, Dharmendra and Kangana Raut.  

While the SICA 2015 Awards will see well-known directors Bharathirajaa, Vikraman; music director Yuvan Shankar and actors Surya, Vijay and Dhanush  gather alongside other Indian film industry personalities to commemorate the contributions of the Southern Indian movie industry’s cinematographers. Awards will be presented in the categories of best actor, best actress, best director, best cinematographer, best child artiste and so on.

According to Nagamaiah, Malaysia has so much to offer as a venue destination for international major events such as the SICA 2015.

“Our reputation for excellent hospitality, value-for-money proposition, good infrastructure and ranking as a best value destination are a winning combination for event organisers. In addition, international spectators who attend the various events here will enjoy a rich and authentic experience with our diverse cultural heritage and unparalleled natural attractions that is truly unique to Malaysia,” he added.

-Malaysia Convention & Exhibitions Bureau and Malaysia Major Events.

Malaysia Hosts South Indian International Movie Awards Next Month

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- The South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) is to be held here in September this year, and is expected to generate more than RM25 million in tourist receipts for the country, according to the organiser.

Malaysia Major Events (MME) said Malaysia would host the prestigious event for the first time, scheduled for Sept 12 and 13 at Stadium Negara here.

MME general manager Tony Nagamaiah said over 100 Indian movie stars would 'grace the red carpet' and there would be performances by several top film stars, among them Tamanna, Anirudh, Devi Sri Prasad, Shriya Saran, Shiv Rajkumar, Lakshmi Menon, Nivin Pauly, Regina and Rakul Preet.

Tony told a press conference the event was expected to bring more than 5,000 international visitors, especially from India and neighbouring countries, as it was also being held for the first time in Southeast Asia.

"India and Malaysia have enjoyed an excellent relationship over the decades and, in fact, India is one of our top tourist markets. Given that the Indian diaspora is stretched across the Southeast Asia region and further, we are confident that fans from our neighbouring countries will also take this opportunity to experience the South Indian cinema industry," he said.

Tony said hosting SIIMA was testament to Malaysia being a preferred venue for top-class events and served as an opportunity to increase global exposure on the unique experiences Malaysia had to offer. For the two past consecutive years, SIIMA was held only in the Middle East.

Tony also said that India was one of Malaysia's top tourist markets, with over 650,000 Indian travellers visiting Malaysia last year and, this year, the target set at 700,000 arrivals. MME is a division of the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

Meanwhile, SIIMA chairman Vishnu Induri said the selection of Malaysia as the venue of the event was the right choice. "Indian films are very popular here. So, this is the right place for us to hold SIIMA, and I am very happy with the support from the Malaysian government, especially as it is Visit Malaysia 2014," he said.

Today's press conference was also attended by several Indian film stars, among them Surya Sivakumar, Shriya Saran, Rana Daggubati and Vidyut Jamwal. The Indian film stars and all others present at the press conference observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect for the victims of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy.
-bernama.

Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios Officially Opens And Is In Full Swing

NUSAJAYA, JOHOR, 14 June 2014 – Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios (PIMS), the largest independent integrated studio facility in South East Asia, is officially opened today by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, Sultan and Sovereign Ruler of the State and Territory of Johor Darul Ta’zim. Located in Iskandar Malaysia, in the state of Johor, the RM550 million state-of-the art facilities is set to position Johor as the regional hub for film and television production.

The 50-acre world-class integrated facility currently offers filmmakers 100,000 square feet of film stages, 24,000 square feet of television studios, post production facilities and complete support services, including production office space, dressing/make-up rooms, workshop and backlot, making PIMS the largest independent integrated studio facility in South East Asia, if not Asia.

Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, the Chairperson of PIMS added:

“PIMS is committed to lead in developing a robust ecosystem of creative talent and high quality SMEs around the facility. PIMS is not only expected to contribute to the development of the creative industry, it will generate spill-over effects to other economic sectors like tourism, finance and high-value manufacturing. The development of a creative ecosystem in Iskandar Malaysia shall continue to enhance innovation, creativity and stimulate entrepreneurship.”

Mr. Michael Lake, Chief Executive Officer of PIMS, said:

“For four years now, Malaysia has been eagerly waiting for the Studios to be completed. Today, we are delighted to be celebrating the official opening of Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios as it marks the start of our journey towards becoming the center for international film production in Asia.”

Completed in December 2013, the Studios has already generated great interest from international film and television producers.  In April 2014, the Studios inked a deal with independent American multimedia production and distribution company, The Weinstein Company, to shoot the upcoming television series, Marco Polo at the facility.

Mr. Lake added:

“We have certainly hit the ground running.  Attracting a production the size of Marco Polo is testament to our ability to offer world-class amenities to filmmakers looking for a one-stop shop from script to screen. We anticipate more projects to come our way as we continue to actively market the Studios internationally. It’s certainly exciting times ahead for the Studios.”

Ivan Dunleavy, Chief Executive Officer, Pinewood Shepperton plc, said:

"I am delighted that Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios is today formally opened for business. It will play a strategic part in Pinewood's ever expanding international offering. It is an outstanding state of the art facility, which will appeal to domestic and international film and television productions alike. The demand for new screen-based content in the Asia Pacific region is continuing to rise. Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios is well placed to meet that demand”.

PIMS is the result of an important strategic alliance between the world famous Pinewood Studios Group and the Government of Malaysia’s strategic investment fund, Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Khazanah). In February 2014, Japan’s largest post production company, Imagica Corp formed a joint venture with Khazanah to set up a postproduction facility, Imagica South East Asia, at the Studios. PIMS is an important Creative and Media anchor investment of Khazanah, aiming to integrate with the relevant facilities and industry players in the Klang Valley and to network into the existing creative hubs within Malaysia and Asia-Pacific.

About Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios

Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios is a world class state-of –the-art film and television studio facility for the Asia Pacific region. It is a result of an important strategic alliance between the world famous Pinewood Studios Group and the Government of Malaysia’s strategic investment fund, Khazanah Nasional Berhad.

Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios offers 100,000 sq. ft. of film stages, 24,000 sq. ft. of television studios, offices, workshops and post production facilities. The team at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios has over 70 years experience in the local and international film and television industry and is well placed to take advantage of the growing Asia Pacific market. With Malaysia’s excellent digital connections, competitive cost base and proximity to Asia Pacific markets, Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios will be ideally placed as the creative hub of the region.

Visit www.pinewoodmalaysiastudios.com for more information.

About Film in Malaysia Incentive

The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) is a Malaysian Government agency responsible to promote, preserve and facilitate the development of the film industry in Malaysia. The Film in Malaysia Office, a unit under FINAS, administrates the FILM IN MALAYSIA INCENTIVE (FIMI).

FIMI is a 30% cash rebate on all Qualifying Malaysian Production Expenditure (QMPE), which meets the criteria further elaborated upon in these Guidelines. This incentive is offered for production and post-production approved activities beginning early 2013.

Visit www.filminmalaysia.com for more information.

-Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios.