ACMI Cinemas: Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne 15^th to 18^th August 2008.

The Australian Malaysian Film Festival returns after an outstanding and successful first year.

This vibrant marquee Arts Culture and Film Industry event will be launched with a fantastic gala evening that boasts cultural music and dance, exquisite cuisine, special guests, an exhibition of batik design – and of course films.

AMFF 2008 promises some of Malaysia’s latest and best films.  This year there will five fantastic films to enjoy (Sepi, Congkak, Waris Jari Hantu, Cuci and Duyung), screened during the four day festival from award winning, exciting and acclaimed filmmakers.

Opening this year’s festival is “Sepi” directed by Kabir Bhatia, the director of “Cinta”, which won Best Film in the 2007 MFF Awards as well as being selected to be screened at last year’s Pusan International Film Festival, the 9th Cinemanila Film Festival and many more. “Sepi” is a film about the lighter side of love, loss and solitude in the city, where a single event ties all three stories into a tale of love, hope and destiny.

As part of this year’s “Australian Malaysian Film Festival” held at ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), there will be a filmmaker’s forum on Friday, August 15 from 2.00pm till 5.30pm.

Producers and star actors from the five participating films will be in attendance along with officials and members of FINAS (Malaysia’s national film body) and PFM (Malaysia’s Producer’s Association).

The objectives of such a forum is to explore film and media bilateral ties through discussion of industry issues, as well as information exchange of professional practices. Even more substantially it is a stage to develop potential project collaboration and business models. This could be the start of something big!

Guest speakers for the forum will include:

Mr. Mahyidin Mustakim, Director General of FINAS (Malaysia’s national film body), Professor Ian Lang, the Head of Film and Television for the Victorian College of the Arts and Julie Marlow, the consultant for Trade, Policy, International Relations and Co Productions for the Screen Producers Association of Australia.

This year’s event extends even further into the Arts with an exhibition of Malaysian batik design and fashion. A2K Media have invited Emilia Tan, an innovative batik artist and publisher of ‘myBatik’ magazine to bring an impressive array of batik to share with Australian audiences. Batik artists & designers featured include: Eddie Yap, Fatimah Chik, Emilia Tan, Ghazali, Azizi, iNNAi, Sutra Kasih Batik and Lucas Blim.

Anyone wishing to source some of the most beautiful fabrics, art and/or fashion garments from Malaysia or even discussing manufacturing should take advantage of this great opportunity!  During the weekend Emilia will also be demonstrating the Batik making process. The curator of this exhibition is Liza Roberts, formally of Metro 5 Gallery, and installed by Stephen Robarts of Art Hung.

Venue: The Festival Club, ACMI, Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Flinders Street.

This is a free exhibition where you can view some of the most beautiful hand painted Malaysian Batik textiles, large pieces of framed batik art, and designer fashion batik garments. This three day exhibition is a must see for all those who love art and fashion.

Book now by going to www.acmi.net.au or phone the box office at (03) 8663 2583. Also check out the AMFF website.