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The film Tegkang, which portrays life in the highlands of Bario, Sarawak, was, on Sept 18, selected as the winner of the Best New Filmmaker Award at the First-Time Filmmaker Showcase, which is part of the prestigious Lift-Off Sessions hosted by Lift-Off Global Network at Pinewood Studios in London.
The win qualifies the film to compete in the final round of the Season Awards, an annual event at Pinewood Studios, which celebrates the best projects of the Lift-Off season.
Tegkang, written and directed by Josh Nawan, tells the story of life in a remote village that has kept a closely guarded secret for years and which begins to unravel with the arrival of a visitor who befriends a local girl.
The film also highlights the uniqueness of Bario, not only as a beautiful location but also as a place rich in cultural experiences including traditional festivals and age-old rituals rarely seen by the outside world.
Josh, meanwhile, is proud Tegkang, which means rainbow in the Kelabit language, was recognised by the jury and stood out among other great films.
He said the Kelabit community, an indigenous Dayak group from the Sarawak highlands including Bario, is rarely represented in the arts, "so this recognition means a great deal to us”.
"I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share a story so deeply rooted in heritage and thankful that this film will now reach even more audiences," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the film's producer Lyn Nasihin hopes that Tegkang will help draw more attention to the diverse works emerging from Malaysia's film industry.
The Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker Sessions is a monthly online showcase dedicated to supporting the works of new directors, comprising independent short and feature films from around the world. It serves as a stepping stone for filmmakers to gain recognition from new audiences and industry professionals.
Winners receive broad exposure, including opportunities to present future projects at Pinewood Studios, one of the world's leading film studios. – Bernama
