Press Release

Sheffield Doc/Fest Film Submissions Open
https://sheffdocfest.com/view/film_submissions

3 October 2011: International and UK documentary filmmakers are invited to submit their latest works for Sheffield Doc/Fest 2012 which will take place 13-17 June. The highly popular and critically acclaimed film programme includes seven award categories including: Special Jury Award, Sheffield Innovation Award, Sheffield Green Award, Sheffield Youth Jury Award, Student Doc Award, Sheffield Doc/Fest Audience Award, plus the Inspiration Award. The programme also includes a number of themed strands including Music, Bent, Green – and new for 2012, Sport, to complement the London Olympics.

“Some of the most creative and enjoyable docs come to Doc/Fest via submissions”, says Doc/Fest programmer Hussain Currimbhoy, “Submissions represent an increasingly important element of the overall programme, and more than ever they go on to have an extended life beyond the Festival, enjoying UK and international releases.”

Doc/Fest is the biggest documentary film festival in the UK attracting delegates from all around the world. A record 2310 industry execs attended the 2011 Sheffield Doc/Fest, the first to take place in June.

Submission Mechanics:

• https://sheffdocfest.com/view/film_submissions
• Feature, medium and short film submissions are invited from established and debut directors, independent filmmakers, distributors, film schools and media collectives from the UK and around the world.
• For submission information, please contact Doc/Fest film programmer Hussain Currimbhoy: hussain@sidf.co.uk.
• Film submissions close on January 27.

For further Doc/Fest information contact:

Sarah Harvey Publicity: 020 7232 2812
Sarah Harvey, sarah@sarahharvey.info / 07958 597426

Community Screening in Fiesta Feminista, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

KOMAS collaborated for the first time together with Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) to screen the winning films of Freedom Film Fest in the state of Sabah. The screening were part of a 3 day program called “Fiesta Feminista” organized by JAG bring together women from every part of Malaysia especially those who are marginalized to discuss, to share and exchange ideas on the issues of feminism, human rights and democracy. During the program, FreedomFilmFest was given a session to share their films and we screened the winning films of 2011, “Huruf J and Lot Umah Am” . We also screened “Senyap Tersentak” a documentary on BERSIH 2.0 demands on free and fair elections and “Ulu Bengoh Darom Piin” a documentary on misplaced lives due to building of dams.

We had 57 people who attended and participated actively in the screening. We also had participants from the single mothers network and indigenousness people who were displaced due to development who provided first hand experiences of their situation which can be related back to the films Huruf J, Ulu Bengoh Darom Piin and Lot Umah Am. Those attended were also exposed to the demands of BERSIH 2.0. A lot of them originating from East Malaysia were not aware of the demands of BERSIH 2.0 or what actually is BERSIH 2.0. We had Lau Su Shi from the BERSIH 2.0 secretariat as a resource person. She explained and answered the participants on the current system of election and why do we need electoral reform. Other than that, There was a lot of discussion when the film “Ulu Bengoh Darom Piin” were screened as 16 more dams are to be built in Sabah and 12 more in Sarawak. The film showed the struggles faced by the displaced people and how building more dams can contribute more to this problem. Other than that, The film “Lot Umah Am” also portrayed the struggles of the indigenousness people in West Malaysia and could related with the woes of the indigenous from Sabah as well. Although the type of struggle is different, every indigenous in Malaysia is

During the discussion of the films, it was realized that there is a big gap between east and west Malaysia as people from both sides are very ignorant to the issues from the other side. Not many of them were exposed to films with elements of human rights in Malaysia. Mainstream media usually do not carry such films while not many people especially in the rural areas have access to alternative media. After seeing the films, many were surprised that the degree of human rights violation that is happening in Malaysia. This was very much apparent in the ignorance of issues between West and East Malaysia. Other than that, some was happy that this issues are filmed to spread the awareness to the people out there. The indigenous people themselves were happy that the issue of building more and more dams, land grabbing, failure to recognize their land rights is being highlighted out there and getting the support they need in fighting to gain their rights. However, there were some people who felt that the films especially on BERSIH 2.0 and “ Ulu Bengoh Darom Piin” was political in nature and did not understand the overall picture. After explaining about the films and some participants who shared their personal experience, they began to understand the films. Overall, the screening received good and positive feedback from the audience and it was hoped that more screenings will be done in the interiors of Sabah.

For the people from West Malaysia, not much information we get from our East Malaysia counterparts especially Sabah. Known as the land below the wind and home to the majestic Mount Kinabalu, all is not too well although the media paints a different picture. Although small in size, the extensive damage done to its natural resources is extensive with illegal logging being rampant. Other than that, many indigenous people are loosing their land to false promises of land title and small amount of money. Many villages are still without water and electricity and solely depending on river and oil lamps.

A visit to an indigenous village 5 hours from Kota Kinabalu called Alablanas is a perfect example of this. Although there is a electric tower nearby, the villagers need to pay RM 810 for  electricity to be connected to their homes. Hence, many still depend on oil lamps to light their house at night as only those with money can afford electricity. Thousands of hectares of land was lost when villagers were  tricked in surrendering their land for a mere RM 500 for to get the communal land title thinking they are actually getting the title. Little did they know that they are becoming mere beneficiaries receiving RM 400 a month with the title going to  the local land office.  These are just a gist of the problems they are facing.

Although Sabah has been part of Malaysia for 48 years now, they are still very much backwards in terms of development. Every 5 years, many promises are made to gain votes, but the situation is still the same for every election. The question that begs to be asked is “who is actually benefiting from the development as promised by the Government. When the most basic of facilities such as electricity, access roads and schools are denied to the villagers, it is a strong statement against about the government of the day who constantly claim to have the people’s welfare in their hearts!

Malaysia continues to shine boast to the rest of the world that it is one of the most progressive developing nations. But hidden behind this facade reveals the sad reality reflected in the deplorable conditions such as those in Kg Alabanas. If this is the standard measure of development then we must ask ourselves, “Is this the kind of development that we want?”

FreedomFilmFest2011 will be making its way to Sabah for the first-time in conjuction with Fiesta Feminista!

26 November 8pm
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Films

Lot, Umah Am (20 mins)
Huruf J (20mins)
Senyap Serentak (15 mins)
Ulu Bengoh Darum Pin (20 mins)

Please note that this screening is only open to participants of Fiesta Feminista.