Kota Kinabalu: A group of students from Kian Kok Middle School recently participated in the prestigious Sabah Film Lab (SFL) workshop, a key event at the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIFF).
Four students played ‘Shadows,’ gaining hands-on filmmaking experience while being mentored by seasoned professionals from the industry.
The SFL is an intensive eight-day workshop that brings participants together to collaborate in teams, creating short documentary or narrative films under the guidance of local and international mentors.
The SFL is renowned for offering valuable insight into filmmaking’s art and technical aspects. It blends practical workshops with specialized talks led by industry experts.
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“When Sylvia Lim approached me with the idea of including Kian Kok students in the Film Lab, I was thrilled. This is a fantastic opportunity for young students to explore their passion for multimedia and filmmaking in a real-world setting. The Principal, Goh Teck Seng, was very supportive, and I hope this collaboration will continue in the future,” she said.
The Kian Kok students were integrated into four different Film Lab teams, participating in all stages of the filmmaking process, from pre-production to post-production. As ‘Shadows,’ they contributed wherever possible while learning from filmmakers and industry experts.
The mentorship program was led by six highly experienced professionals: Isazaly Isa, Ahmed Yazid, and Putri Purnama Sugua from Malaysia, alongside international mentors Hikaru Toda (Japan), Roy Taoho (New Zealand), and Mark Overett (Australia).
In addition to those directly involved in film production, three more Kian Kok students and students from the Mahakarya Institute of the Arts Asia (MIAA) in Brunei attended specialized talks delivered by local and international filmmakers.
These students gained valuable insights into storytelling, documentary filmmaking, and technical aspects of film production. Some MIAA students also assisted at the cinema during KKIFF screenings, contributing to the festival’s collaborative atmosphere.
Mentor Hikaru Toda praised the students’ maturity and dedication, highlighting one student in particular.
“Jess was invaluable to the narrative team. The students brought fresh perspectives and were open to learning, which was inspiring. It’s about enjoying the learning curve, not just focusing on the outcome,” she said.
Local mentor Ahmed Yazid encouraged the students to dive deeper into the creative process.
“Storytelling is key in filmmaking. You can learn the technical aspects online, but storytelling is a craft that takes time to develop. I want them to focus on that during the mentorship,” Ahmed said.
Working alongside seasoned professionals and contributing to real-world projects was a transformative experience for the students.
The head of Kian Kok’s Art Department, Sylvia Lim, emphasized the importance of providing students with early exposure to professional environments.
“I hope this experience inspires them to pursue their future studies and careers with greater determination,” Sylvia said.
Chairman of the Board of Directors at Kian Kok Middle School, Datuk Clement Yeh, celebrated the collaboration as a milestone for the school.
“It opens new horizons for our students, allowing them to explore the creative arts in ways that extend beyond the classroom.
“We support initiatives like this because they provide invaluable real-world experiences that foster academic and personal growth. We are proud of our students for embracing this challenge enthusiastically,” Clement said during the KKIFF Awards Night.
The students also shared their experiences. Jessica Liew expressed her gratitude for being part of KKIFF, noting the valuable lessons she learned about filmmaking.
“Working through challenges like harsh weather made the experience even more memorable, and I truly enjoyed every moment,” Jessica said.
Another participant, Jia Yee Teh, reflected on her time with the narrative short film team, saying it taught her the importance of collaboration.
“I’ve learned firsthand how critical teamwork is at every stage of filmmaking. This experience deepened my passion for cinema and strengthened my personal skills,” Jia Yee said.
Ernest, a participant from Kuala Lumpur, added that while the workshop was intense, it offered new insights into filmmaking.
“We were glued to our cameras and screens throughout the production, and it wasn’t until after the awards night that we could finally breathe.
“In short, we were thrilled to have Jabez from Kian Kok Middle School with us. Some of us learned as much from him as he did from us during this documentary filmmaking journey,” Ernest said.
As the 2024 SFL concluded, Kian Kok Middle School students left a lasting impression on mentors and peers alike.
Their participation marks the beginning of a promising partnership between the school and KKIFF, paving the way for future students to explore the world of filmmaking.
Jude Day reaffirmed her commitment to the collaboration “It’s a wonderful partnership, and we look forward to welcoming more young talent from Kian Kok Middle School in the future.”
The KKIFF continues pushing creative boundaries, offering a platform for seasoned professionals and aspiring young talent.
Including Kian Kok students in the SFL represents a bold step toward nurturing Sabah’s next generation of filmmakers.
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