Strategic collaboration to make Sabah film tourism hub
KOTA KINABALU (Dec 21): Kota Kinabalu Film and Video Association (KKFVA) and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) have reached an agreement to establish a strategic collaboration to make Sabah a hub for film tourism.
KKFVA President Chester Pang stated that a memorandum of cooperation is expected to be signed in early 2025 to accelerate the implementation of various initiatives aimed at achieving this goal.
According to him, the agreement was reached following KKFVA’s courtesy visit to STB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Julinus Jeffery Jimit, at his office in Kota Kinabalu recently.
“This meeting aimed to present a proposal paper for collaboration to create new opportunities for local filmmakers while promoting Sabah’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage to the world through films and the international film market.
“The natural beauty of Sabah and its rich and diverse cultural heritage present significant opportunities for film-based tourism. By showcasing Sabah’s unique attractions through films, documentaries and television series, the state can enhance its global tourism brand,” he said in a statement.
Chester mentioned that their discussions also focused on exploring the potential of the film industry in promoting Sabah as a tourism destination and product, facilitating collaboration between STB, local industry players, and international production houses, and establishing guidelines and incentives to attract productions to choose Sabah as a filming location.
The producer of the film Craze Below The Wind also highlighted that local productions have contributed significantly to Sabah’s tourism and economy.
“Production expenditures have shown a notable increase from 2022 to 2024. Local film production expenses in Sabah alone reached RM2.72 million in 2022, RM3.09 million in 2023, and RM6.97 million in 2024.
“In 2022 and 2023, only four and five local films were screened in cinemas, respectively. However, this year, a total of 22 films are under production. Three local films have already been screened in cinemas, seven are in the pre-production phase, five are in post-production, and 10 more are set to be released in cinemas.
“These production expenses do not include documentaries, dramas, telemovies and other forms of media production,” he added.
Additionally, KKFVA proposed several strategies that could be implemented between the association and STB to realize Sabah as a film tourism hub. Among the suggestions was the establishment of a film village in Kiulu, equipped with facilities such as a mini studio, cultural house, accommodations and multipurpose spaces.
“This film park will benefit filmmakers, tourists and the local community. For filmmakers, it will provide a more affordable and versatile production hub, enriched by cultural and natural backdrops.
“Moreover, the park could become a new tourism attraction in Sabah, where visitors can experience behind-the-scenes film production and enjoy the surrounding cultural and natural beauty.
“This would directly create more job opportunities for the people, not just for the film community but also for vendors and small businesses. We could also attract international film productions to utilize these facilities, thereby increasing the state’s revenue,” he said.
Welcoming the proposal, Julinus also suggested that KKFVA consider establishing a mini film park as a filming facility, particularly for stories related to Sabah-Borneo.
“At the same time, this village could serve as a tourist attraction when no filming activities are taking place.
“I am impressed by the immense potential of Sabah’s film industry to attract tourists. I will bring this collaboration proposal to the board of directors for further discussion,” he said.
Present at the meeting were KKFVA Secretary Sahara Usli, KKFVA Executive Committee members Zahm Zulkifli and Jade Morris, KKFVA Executive Officer Bibi Harith, as well as local film directors and producers Michelle Pang and Gregory Giting.
-Agency
