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KKFVA and STB to work together to make Sabah a film tourism hub

nabalunews



21 December 2024


KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu Film and Video Association (KKFVA) and the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) have reached an agreement to establish a strategic partnership to make Sabah a film tourism hub.


KKFVA President Chester Pang stated that a memorandum of cooperation is expected to be signed in early 2025 to expedite the implementation of various initiatives aimed at achieving this goal.


He mentioned that the agreement was reached following a courtesy visit by KKFVA to STB's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Julinus Jeffery Jimit, at his office in Kota Kinabalu recently.


“The meeting aimed to present a proposal for cooperation to open new opportunities for local filmmakers, while promoting the natural beauty and rich culture of Sabah on the world stage through film and the international film market.


“The natural beauty of Sabah and its rich, diverse cultural heritage present significant opportunities for film-based tourism.


“By highlighting Sabah's unique attractions through films, documentaries, and television series, the state can enhance its global tourism brand,” he said in a statement on Thursday.


Chester noted that their discussions also focused on exploring the potential of the film industry in promoting Sabah as a destination and tourism product, facilitating collaboration between STB, local industry players, and international production houses, and creating guidelines and incentives for productions choosing Sabah as a filming location.


The producer of "Craze Below The Wind" also mentioned that local productions contribute to tourism and the economy of Sabah.


“Production spending has shown a significant increase from 2022 to 2024.


“Local film production spending by Sabah productions alone reached RM2.72 million in 2022, RM3.09 million in 2023, and RM6.97 million in 2024.


“In 2022 and 2023, only four and five local films were screened in cinemas, respectively. However, this year, 22 films are in production.


“Three local films have already been shown in cinemas, seven are in pre-production, five in post-production, and another ten films are set to be released in theaters.


“This production spending does not include documentaries, dramas, telemovies, and other forms of media production,” he added.


He further stated that KKFVA has proposed several strategies that can be implemented in conjunction with STB to realize Sabah as a film tourism hub.


Among the proposals is the establishment of a film park in Kiulu, equipped with facilities such as a mini studio, cultural house, production accommodations, and multi-functional spaces.


“This film park will benefit filmmakers, tourists, and the local community.


“For filmmakers, it will provide a more affordable and versatile production hub, with cultural and natural backgrounds.


“Additionally, this park could become another new tourist attraction in Sabah, allowing visitors to experience behind-the-scenes filmmaking and enjoy the surrounding culture and natural beauty.


“This will directly open more job opportunities for the people, not only for the film community but also for vendors and small traders.


“We can also attract international film productions to use these facilities, thus increasing the state's revenue,” he said.


Welcoming the proposal, Julian also suggested that KKFVA consider establishing a mini film village as a filming facility, especially for stories related to Sabah-Borneo.


“Simultaneously, this village could become a tourist attraction when no filming is taking place.


“I am impressed with the immense potential that Sabah's film industry has to attract tourists.


“I will bring this cooperation proposal to the board of directors for further refinement,” he said.


Also present at the meeting were KKFVA Secretary Sahara Usli, KKFVA Exco members Zahm Zulkifli and Jade Morris, KKFVA Executive Officer Bibi Harith, as well as local film directors and producers Michelle Pang and Gregory Giting.

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