Film by Sarawakian director wins award

KUCHING: Tegkang, a Malaysian film depicting life in the highlands of Bario, has been selected as the winner of the Best New Filmmaker Award at the First-Time Filmmaker Showcase, part of the prestigious Lift-Off Sessions event.

This victory on Sept 18 qualifies the film to compete in the final round of the Season Awards, an annual event held at Pinewood Studios, London, where the best projects from the Lift-Off season are celebrated.

Written and directed by Sarawakian Josh Nawan,Tegkang tells the story of life in a remote village, where a long-kept secret begins to unravel with the arrival of a visitor who forms a bond with a girl from the village.

The film showcases Bario not only as a stunning and captivating location but also as a place rich in cultural experiences, including traditional festivals and rituals rarely seen by the outside world.

“I’m proud that ‘Tegkang,’ which means ‘Rainbow’ in the Kelabit language, has resonated with the jury and been recognised alongside so many other great films.,” said Josh.

“The Kelabit community is rarely represented in the arts, so this recognition is deeply meaningful to us. I truly appreciate the opportunity to share a story so rooted in heritage, and I am grateful that this film will reach an even wider audience.”

Tegkang stars popular actors Syafie Naswip and Michelle Lungan.

“This film is a testament to the team’s commitment to delivering original work from Malaysia, and this award acknowledges the collective effort and passion poured into its creation,” said producer Lyn Nasihin.

“We hope that this film will help draw more attention to the diverse works offered by the Malaysian film industry.”

Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker Sessions is a monthly online showcase dedicated to supporting the work of new directors and screening a collection of indie short and feature films from around the world.

The competition consists of two rounds: the first round where a global audience votes for their favourite films, followed by a detailed assessment by the Lift-Off internal jury.

The winners receive extensive exposure, including the opportunity to present future projects at Pinewood Studios, one of the world’s leading film studios.

The showcase has become a stepping stone for many indie filmmakers, offering opportunities to be noticed by new audiences and industry professionals.