by Dr James Gomez

Singaporeans For Democracy (SFD), will explore jointly with both its festival partners KOMAS and The Substation into the possibility of making the Singapore leg of Freedom Film Festival (FFF) an annual mainstay.

Some 140 people attended the Singapore leg of the FFF at The Substation on 28 October 2011. Hosted by the NGO SFD, this is the second time the FFF has been held in Singapore and has been widely seen as a second year of success.

Singapore’s official censor, Media Development Authority (MDA), just days before this year’s festival approved and rated all 6 films submitted for approval. Three films were rated M18 and another three NC16.

Last year, the first time the Singapore leg of FFF was held at The Substation, some 7 short films were shown and attended by 80 people. Then the Media Development Authority had rated all but one of the seven films as M18.

As with both years’ screening, audience present requested that future FFFs in Singapore feature local content. Hence, among the ideas SFD will be looking into with its partners would be support for human rights filmmaking and screening in Singapore.

*Photos courtesy of Kai Xiong

Inilah peluang anda untuk menonton filem-filem FFF2011 sepanjang bulan November!

If you missed our series of premier screenings last month, here’s your chance! FFF2011 will be screening at the following locations throughout November:

15 November (Tuesday)
9pm, Palate Palette Restaurant + Bar (Free Popcorn!)
21, Jalan Mesui, Off Jalan Nagasari, Kuala Lumpur. (Behind Istana Hotel)

“Searching for A “Malaysian Identity”"
“Like Toy Dolls”
“Huruf J”
“Lot, Umah Am”
“BERSIH 2.0: 8 Tuntutan” (a.k.a. “Senyap…Tersentak”)

16 November (Wednesday)
7.30pm, USM Pulau Pinang, Bilik Seminar, Pusat Teknologi Pendidikan dan Multimedia (PTPM), USM, Pulau Pinang.

“Jalan Pintas”
“Huruf J”
“Lot, Umah Am”
The director of “Jalan Pintas”, Namron will be joining us! Seats are limited, first come first serve.

19 November (Saturday)
9pm, Bandar Tenggara Johor, No 16 AB, Kedai JKKR, FELDA Pengli Timur, Bandar Tenggara, Johor. (Bengkel Enal)

“Kisah Tauke Mancis dan Minyak Tumpah”
“Ayah Kenapa Tebang Pokok Pisang”
We will also hold a photo exhibition on Anti-Discrimination (Aku Bangsa Malaysia) here.

20 November (Sunday)
2pm, The Wall, Batu Pahat, Johor.

“Huruf J”
“Lot, Umah Am”
“Kisah Tauke Mancis dan Minyak Tumpah”
“Ayah Kenapa Tebang Pokok Pisang”
We will also hold a photo exhibition on Anti-Discrimination (Aku Bangsa Malaysia) here.

FreedomFilmFest2011 will be screening this year’s winning films at Pesta PoAm: From Discord to Harmony this weekend! Here’s your chance to watch Huruf J by Afiq Deen and Lot, umah am by Pey Wen!

Date: 13 November 2011
Time: 2.00 – 4.00 PM
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Jalan Maharajalela, KL.

Tanda arah ke Tayangan perdana FFF2011 Kuching yang diadakan pada 29hb Oktober 2011 di Harbour View Hotel.

Dua orang peserta sedang membaca maklumat yang disediakan dalam risalah FFF2011. Sementara itu, beberapa peserta sedang beratur untuk mendaftarkan diri mereka.

Para peserta sedang membeli baju-T FFF2011 yang dibawa ke Sarawak.

Para peserta tidak mengira suku kaum, pegangan politik dan jantina turut memeriahkan Tayangan Perdana FFF2011 Kuching.

Saudara Detta Samen (kedua dari kanan), selaku pesuruhjaya SUHAKAM Sarawak, menyertai Tayangan Perdana FFF2011 Kuching lalu melancarkan upacara terbabit. Sebelah beliau, En. Ahmad Awang Ali, dari NGO Panggau, selaku penganjur tempatan FFF di Kuching.

FFF2011 Kuching mendapat sambutan daripada warga Kuching. Tahun ini, bilangan peserta yang menyertai FFF2011 Kuching telah melebihi 150 orang.

Pembikin filem “Ulu Bengoh Darum Piin”, saudara Joachim Leong dan Weng Yow turut menyertai tayangan dan perbincangan yang diadakan di FFF2011 Kuching. Yang turut menyertai ialah YB Chong Chieng Jen, rakan penganjur FFF2011 Sarawak, saudara Ahmad Awang dan saudari Nilo. Peserta Tayangan Perdana FFF2011 Kuching aktif menyertai perbincangan yang diadakan.

Saudari Puspa, wakil Sarawak AIDS Foundation berkongsi dengan para peserta mengenai diskriminasi yang disebabkan oleh salah faham kebanyakan orang terhadap kumpulan terpinggir, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender). Turut menyertai ialah pembantu penyelaras FreedomFiulmFest, Yow Chong Lee.

Peserta menyuarakan pendapat beliau semasa perbincangan yang turut disertai oleh Ustaz Husseini sebagai pengongsi maklumat.

*Gambar-gambar oleh Karen Quek.