14 Sep – Still reeling from the Malaysia Film Festival which ended last August, another film festival – the Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival (KLIFF07) – was officially launched on the night of 11 September at the Cineleisure Damansara courtyard, attended by celebrities and industry heavyweights. The film festival is jointly organised by National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) and Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival Sdn Bhd (KLIFFSB), under the patronage of Y. A. B. Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. Among those present at the launch was Chairman of FINAS Dato' Jins Shamsuddin, Head of Director of FINAS En. Mohd Mahyidin Mustakim, and President of Film Distributors Association of Malaysia En. Ahmad Puad Onah. Attending celebrities include local TV host and actor Azizan Nin, star of local film "Anak Halal" Bront Palarae, as well as local TV personality Norman Abdul Halim. The festival is aimed at developing and promoting co-operation amongst film-makers around the world in creative, technical and marketing aspects; whilst fostering closer friendships amongst countries and its people; and celebrating cultural diversity through popular celluloid media.
It will be held from 28 November to 2 December in conjunction with Malaysia's 50th Year of Independence and Visit Malaysia Year 2007 with the theme of "Celebrating Cultural Diversity". Exciting programmes have been planned in line with the festival, ranging from film screenings and grand premieres to symposiums and exhibitions. The highlight will the Awards Night, broadcasting live on national television to recognise the organisations and individuals who have excelled in the film industry, be it art house or mainstream motion pictures.
Dato' Jins Shamsuddin said at a press conference after the launch of KLIFF07: "We are bringing together local and international juries for the Awards Night to bring forth our name to a global level. Our films are winning awards at film festivals all over the world and this is a great opportunity to create a name for ourselves on our own soil." To date, KLIFF07 have received nominations from North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, ranging from independent productions houses to major US-based production companies. Top speakers from all over the world will gather for the symposium to share their knowledge and experience with the objective of engaging industry professionals on an intellectual platform and stimulate the growth of the Asian film industry. Subjects include "Co-production", "Film Distribution", "Film Funding", "Filming CGI", "Post-production & Visual Effects" and "Making 3D Motion Picture". Invited guest speakers will also present a key note address on "Asian Film Market & Intellectual Property Protection", "Digital Cinemas", "Locations Malaysia" and many more. The much-anticipated motion picture "Long Road To Heaven" will also make its grand premiere and KLIFF07 on 30 November as one of the three Grand Premieres scheduled during the festival.
KLIFF07 PROGRAMME DAY 1 Date: 28th November 2007 Event: Opening Ceremony Venue: KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur Time: 8.00pm DAY 2 Date: 29th November 2007 Event: Exhibition Venue: Cineleisure Damansara Time: 11.30am until 9.30pm Date: 29th November 2007 Event: Symposium – Co Production Venue: KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm Date: 29th November 2007 Event: Symposium – Filming CGI Venue: KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur Time: 2.00pm to 5.00pm Date: 29th November 2007 Event: Grand Premiere "Hollywood Night" Venue: Cathay, Cineleisure Damansara Time: 8.00pm DAY 3 Date: 30th November 2007 Event: Exhibition Venue: Cineleisure, Damansara Time: 11.30am until 9.30pm Date: 30th November 2007 Event: Symposium – Film Funding Venue: KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur Time: 9.30pm to 12.30pm Date: 30th November 2007 Event: Symposium – Film Distribution Venue: KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur Time: 2.00pm to 5.00pm Date: 30th November 2007 Event: Grand Premiere "Asian Night" Venue: Cathay, Cineleisure Damansara Time: 8.00pm DAY 4 Date: 1st December 2007 Event: Exhibition Venue: Cineleisure, Damansara Time: 11.30am until 9.30pm Date: 1st December 2007 Event: Symposium – Post Production & Visual Effects Venue: KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur Time: 9.30pm to 12.30pm Date: 1st December 2007 Event: Symposium – Making 3D Motion Picture Venue: KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur Time: 2.00pm to 5.00pm Date: 1st December 2007 Event: Grand Premiere "Malaysian Night" Venue: Cathay, Cineleisure Damansara Time: 8.00pm DAY 5 Date: 2nd December 2007 Event: Exhibition Venue: Cineleisure, Damansara Time: 11.30am until 5pm Date: 2nd December 2007 Event: Awards Night Venue: Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur Time: 8.00pm Note: There will be daily screenings of selected films participating in KIFF07 at Cathay Cineleisure Damansara. The screening times are at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm and 11pm daily from 29 November until 2 December 2007. However, there will be no screenings at 9pm and 11pm on 2 December 2007. Full listings will be available on www.klfilmfest.com by middle of November 2007.