A Borneo Story to start filming soon

22 June 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The upcoming film, "Agatis: A Borneo Story" (AABS), is scheduled to commence filming between August and September this year.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS), Datuk Seri Christina Liew, stated that her Ministry is keen to offer support, recognising the film’s potential to boost wildlife tourism.

"We will provide the necessary assistance through our agency, Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL). Firstly, it is a feature film aimed at protecting and raising awareness about the endangered Bornean Pygmy Elephants. Secondly, it will be the first film in Malaysia to be shot in close proximity to these majestic animals under proper supervision," she said, following a presentation on the project by Jeanette Chong Tze Ling, Director of Mondo Ab Films Sdn Bhd (MABF).

MABF is a Sabah-based production company headquartered in Kota Kinabalu. Also present was Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, Director of JHL.

Chong, a Sabahan scriptwriter, director, and producer, concurred that the Ministry’s support is vital to the success of AABS. The film, which will run for 90 minutes, features Agatis, a four-year-old female Pygmy Elephant, and Aki, a two-year-old male Pygmy Elephant, from the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary (BES) within the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.

"I thank the Minister for her personal assistance. Support from the Ministry and the Sabah Wildlife Department will bolster the confidence of potential funders and sponsors to come forward and contribute within their capacity.” 

“This is my fourth screenplay, and my aim is for the film to be screened not only in cinemas but also to premiere at various international film festivals," she said, adding that this initiative could attract local and international filmmakers to produce more films in Sabah.

During a briefing, the lawyer-turned-film producer, who is also a martial artist, explained that "Agatis: A Borneo Story" has been created through the collaboration of a team with over 50 years of combined experience in storytelling, wildlife cinematography, and high-quality film-making.

Here is the film’s synopsis: "Both orphaned children, a young lost boy named Dhiren and a baby Pygmy Elephant called Agatis, come from different worlds but find each other in the magical Borneo jungle. As their bond deepens, they become embroiled in a battle to protect Agatis's species from greedy poachers," Chong explained, sharing her passion for filmmaking.

Regarding her motivation behind the project, Chong emphasised the urgent need to raise awareness about the Bornean Pygmy Elephant and the importance of coexistence through cinematic storytelling.

"I met Jibius Dausip, the Elephant Whisperer, in 2023 to learn more about the Bornean Elephant, and I encountered baby Agatis for the very first time," she recalled.

When asked why Sandakan has been prioritised for casting, Chong attributed this to the location in Kinabatangan, which provides an ideal setting for the main cast and the baby Pygmy Elephant to bond before filming, with supervision from BES and their caretakers based in Kinabatangan.

"In July, we will hold an open casting for children in Sandakan. We are also welcoming involvement from local NGOs and community groups in Kinabatangan," she added.

Once funding is secured, Chong hopes filming will begin in mid-August or September.