Sarawak scoops major film award at ITB
BERLIN – Sarawak Convention Bureau’s new four-minute meetings commercial has taken out the Diamond Award at Das Goldene Stadttor, (the Golden City Gate) Film Competition held in conjunction with ITB Berlin.
Against stiff competition from 32 countries with multiple entries ranging across eight different categories, the international jury selected the four-minute video “Recharge in a New World†as the best overall entry in the competition.
So what does it take to create an award winning video in your first attempt?
Jill Henry, CEO of the Sarawak Convention Bureau, explained, “For our first production, we wanted to take a different approach to stand out and be noticed.
“Rather than try to showcase the whole destination we chose to produce a story-lined TV commercial adding a touch of ‘tongue in cheek’ humour.
“We also did not try to shy away from the fact that many international meeting planners don’t yet know where Sarawak is. Hopefully that will all change now as we embark on an intensive profile building exercise in the lead up to the opening of our new convention centre next year.â€
“The story line features Sarawak’s Iban community and sets up a climatic meeting between overseas business visitors and our unique local hosts.
“It positions Sarawak and its location on the Island of Borneo as a new and vibrant Malaysian business destination.â€
The winning entry was scripted by Peter Lo of creative agency Magicmakers.
It was directed by International award winning Kuala Lumpur based Film Director, Yoki Chin of Filmpoint, with co-director Leong EuHo.
The production also had veteran producer Han Chung Huat as executive producer on a ten-day shoot – which included shipping a cast and crew of about 100 people, and two tonnes of equipment for a week in the rainforests of Sarawak.
The commercial spot can be viewed at :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQk_WxhgpEY
Ian Jarrett
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