Calling All Filmmakers and Activists!

Kuala Lumpur, Saturday, 2nd February – The fifth annual KOMAS Freedom Film Fest (FFF) began its campaign to promote and highlight socially conscious film making and films about human rights, today at the Central Market Annexe.

The launch also signifies the calling for submissions for the “Dare 2 Document�? film proposal competition 2008. The 2008 logo and theme “Democratic Space – Making Room for Human Rights�? was also unveiled.

Democracy is deteriorating in Malaysia. There are increasing restrictions to freedom of speech, assembly, information, free and fair elections, religious practice and other basic rights. Hidden behind the facade of economic progress is an authoritarian state using its machinery to deny our inherent human rights!

The questions that beg to be asked are: “What really is Democracy in Malaysia?�?, “Where are the Democratic Spaces, if any, in Malaysia?�? and “What can we do as citizens to reclaim our democratic rights?�?

KOMAS invites members of the of public to send in their proposals before the deadline on the 31st March, 2008 to compete for the chance to be one of the three lucky people to receive a RM5,000 grant each to turn your film into a reality!

Winners will also receive the Justin Louis Award and technical assistance from KOMAS to produce their winning stories. Completed films will premiere at the FFF2008 screenings and will ultimately compete for the “Most Outstanding Human Rights Film�? title.

For the past five years, FFF has earned a strong reputation for catalyzing and creating an open space for sharing socially engaging media and critical discussions among different sectors of the Malaysian public. Last year, the FFF2007 screened 32 social documentaries and independent films from all over the world in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru and was received with great enthusiasm from the public. This year, we hope to extend the FFF2008 film screenings to East Malaysia.

As part of the build-up to FFF2008, KOMAS will also be organising a series of video workshops throughout the year for community members, film makers and social activists to learn how to highlight human rights issues through the powerful medium of film. Special forums and dialogue sessions with renowned social film makers and activists from Malaysia and other countries will also be organised.

Happy New Year to everybody and welcome back to a brand new FreedomFilmFest!

This year’s theme: “Democratic Space – Making Room for Human Rights” FFF is definitely timely with the current Malaysian Elections fever that is currently spreading around the country.

Free and fair elections are a true reflection of Democratic processes. However, in Malaysia the authorities continue to restrict all forms of media, public expression and flow of information. What we think, say and do are all controlled with Malaysians mastering the art of self censorship!

From the internet to television, music venues and sports stadiums, art galleries to movie theatres, parks and all other ‘green’ public spaces, our freedom to use these spaces is seriously restricted.

In a true Democracy everybody has a right to a say, to have an equal voice and to have that voice represented in government.

Democracy is best imagined as a busy central marketplace, a space where all worlds meet, mingle, exchange, debate, tolerate, consume and exist together.

The Greeks, the god fathers of modern Democracy, built their cities around these public spaces which literally embodied the essence of that political idea. The marketplace, the public gardens are metaphors for democracy.

Are there such spaces in Malaysia? Is there true democratic space in our country?

Express your thoughts, ideas and share your take on the social reality of Malaysia through the eyes of the camera. Claim your democratic space and make a film about the state of Democracy in our country now.