This year's theme, "Unseen, Unheard, Untold" is a reflection of Freedom Film Fest's mission to promote important unrepresented stories to a wider audience.
Each selected film was chosen for its ability to challenge assumptions and open up perspectives about issues rarely featured in the mainstream media.
FreedomFilmFest Sabah will be highlighting four productions by social filmmakers from Malaysia who each received the FreedomFilmFest Film Grant of RM8,000 to make their documentary. They were among more than 20 applicants who applied for the grant this year. The highlight of the night would be a Sabahan documentary by Nizam Adnan who made his first political documentary, "Sindiket".
The film narrates the effects of "Projek IC" on the people of Sabah, when undocumented immigrants from Indonesia and the Philippines were allegedly given Malaysian national identity cards. While the issue may have faded from the consciousness of those in the peninsula, it is very much alive among Sabahans.
Other films for the night would be "Memory as Resistance" by Chan Seong Foong and Victor Chin that documents the fight by villagers of the 100 year-old Kampung Hakka in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, in trying to save their homes from being demolished for redevelopment.
Told through the eyes of 80-year-old Grandma Kong, the film also serves as an archive of the community's oral history.
In "Di Sebalik Runcit", first-time director J. Arrivu Jacob draws attention to the predicament faced by mom-and-pop business owners with the rise of franchise stores and the recent implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The film also explores the potential of ethical consumerism through a young woman who chooses to shop exclusively in small local businesses.
David Buri produced "Viral, Sial!" to investigate the cause of a public outcry earlier this year when his colleagues from BFM's online video show, "Kupas", released an episode criticising Kelantan lawmakers for prioritising a hudud bill at a time the state was still facing serious social and economic issues.
The incident resulted in death and rape threats against the show's presenter, Aisyah Tajuddin.
Since 2013, Freedom Film Fest has created a vital platform for social filmmakers and human rights activist to showcase their films and advocate their causes.
The annual film competition, video workshops and film screening brings outstanding human rights film. FreedomFilmFest harnesses the power of films as a medium to exchange and sharpen analysis and understanding of social and human rights issue. Entrance is free or by donation. For more information you can visit the Facebook Event Page, FreedomFilmFest Sabah 2015 or contact Lena or Jesse (0178969798) for any further inquiries.
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