
#SHOWBIZ: Sabahan celebration of family values marks start of MIFFest 2025
Directed by Sabahan Bebbra Mailin, who is marking her big screen debut, "Ninavau" tells the story of a young woman who studied in Kuala Lumpur and returns to her hometown Kota Kinabalu, with a "secret" that her widowed father Edward and feisty younger sister Elvira struggle to accept.
To complicate matters, Edward has been scammed into parting with a six-figure sum of money, and Elvira is preparing for a marriage that she is not ready for.
At the launch of the festival in MyTown Mall, Cheras yesterday, Bebbra said that "Ninavau" not only showcased the customs and culture of indigenous Sabahans, but also highlighted their interactions with their friends from Peninsular Malaysia, and the "hiccups" that had to be navigated.
"Most of our actors and actresses are newcomers, but they were very dedicated to bringing each of their characters to life. The story of our heroine, Ninavau, and her family members is rooted in reality," she said.
The main actress Jovinea Jim said that she could identify with Ninavau, as she had encountered somewhat similar experiences as the character.
"The story is told from her point of view, but each major character is well-developed and speaks directly to the audience. Here's a story that's close to Malaysians' hearts and can be appreciated by everyone," she said.
Besides Jovinea, "Ninavau" also stars Edward Sinsong as the protagonist's father and Tati Eliana Tonny as her sister.
MIFFest's founder Joanne Goh said that this year's festival, with the theme "Infinity," continued its predecessors' mission of championing homegrown storytelling and embracing international co-productions.
She said: "MIFFest also partners with the 25th European Union Film Festival to present 15 European titles. The "MIFFest x EUFF" opens with Czech drama "Year of the Widow" and features Denmark's "The Girl with the Needle" and Ukraine's "Taste of Freedom."
Goh added that MIFFest highlights six Southeast Asian movies, including Vietnam's "Cu Li Never Cries" and Singapore's "Stranger Eyes."
"It has 62 films from 48 countries," she said, adding that 38 Malaysian films are in the event.
The festival honours Hong Kong action hero Thomas Tam, or Ti Lung, with a lifetime achievement award.
The 78-year-old star will receive the honour at the Malaysia Golden Global Awards ceremony at Zepp KL, on July 26.
"MIFFest celebrates Indian movie legend Raj Kapoor's centenary with screenings of "Awara" and "Bobby"," said Goh.
She added that MIFFest was honouring Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian, who will receive the Award for Excellent Achievement in Film.
He is in the festival's jury panel alongside British filmmaker Asif Kapadia, Malaysian actress Diana Danielle, Hong Kong actress Jennifer Yu, and Indian filmmaker Rima Das.
Goh said that the competition features nine movies, with Palestinian drama "All That's Left of You" by Cherien Dabis leading the race with seven nominations.
Goh said: "Since our establishment in 2016, we have offered a wide range of opportunities and platforms for filmmakers to showcase their work.
"MIFFest offers audiences a chance to embark on a cinematic journey through films from diverse cultures. We aspire to be a space where global and local voices unite."
This year, singer-songwriter and actress Daiyan Trisha, actress Siti Saleha Baharom, and actor Bront Palarae serve as MIFFest ambassadors, while United States-based Malaysian filmmaker Rachel Tan is promoting her new romantic comedy, partly set in Kuala Lumpur, "Worth the Wait".

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Many quickly realised this was no easy feat – as did others who tried a particular title from Origame focusing on the King of Fruits. Durian Dash gives players the opportunity to act as durian importers, sourcing the best varieties from different plantations while being wary of rotten fruit, which they can drop on opponents' decks in their quest to be the King of the King of Fruits. Another family-friendly game saw visitors playing the role of coffeeshop operator brewing favourites such as kopi-o, teh tarik and Milo dinosaur. Each drink in Kopi King has a requisite list of ingredients and players have to scramble to find them. The game ends when a certain number of drinks are made, with the winner collecting the highest revenue. Locals also loved another title literally made for all diets called Buffet Boss, where they have to stack up miniature pieces of food on a plate, just like they would in real-life buffets. Each morsel carries different point values and the juiciest ones are the hardest to stack, often bringing the whole pile down. Origame co-founder Nicholas Pang attributed the growing popularity of regionally inspired titles to people's natural desire for culturally resonant content. 'In the past, most board games were created in the West and they lacked themes that truly spoke to people in this part of the world. 'Food culture, for example, is deeply embedded in life across both Singapore and Malaysia. 'It is something we take pride in and love sharing with others. 'Perhaps that is why we have seen a resurgence of interest in board games in recent years,' he opined. Another Malaysian publisher collaborated with a television network to develop a board game based on one of its shows. They also released titles based on Malaysian folklore and festive delicacies. Lim Jia Xian, who is a business partner at the company, said cultural specificity not only helped games stand out internationally but also fostered deeper connections among players. 'At global conventions, it is hard to make waves if your game doesn't have a unique premise. 'Staying true to our roots allowed us to create games that locals can relate to while offering foreigners a window into our culture. 'It is especially rewarding when we see younger players' curiosities piqued. 'A well-designed game can spark interest to learn more about the stories, characters or traditions behind it,' Lim added. Expanding demographics The appeal of board games has widened tremendously in recent years. Women make up a significant portion of players globally – drawn in part by diverse themes but also the accessibility and opportunities for social connection. Events like ABGFMY reflect this, with tables filled not just with seasoned enthusiasts but also curious newcomers, couples, parents with children, senior citizens, and groups of friends. Many were first-timers who discovered that modern titles went beyond the classics of childhood. Accounts clerk G. Shantini said she never realised there was such a broad spectrum of genres and subject matter available today. 'I played Scrabble and Monopoly during my school years but lost touch after that. 'Now there are even games that have you playing the role of e-hailing riders and navigating busy city traffic to fulfil orders,' she noted. Wu Xin Yuan, who owns a board game cafe and also imports and exports titles, said roughly 70% of his current clientele were female. 'The industry has created an environment where women feel safe and included and this has slowly broken the stereotype that gaming is a guys' thing,' Wu shared. This growing interest has proven beneficial for Malaysian publishers, who have been able to hire the right talent and as a result, churn out increasingly innovative offerings. 'Go back in time and imported board games used to be luxury items for most families due to their high prices. 'But with so many locally made options now, they have become much more affordable. 'Board games are one of the few products where you pay once and get countless hours of fun. 'Take good care of them and they will last years or even decades,' he pointed out. Wu also found it funny how a hobby once dismissed as child's play had become popular among the elderly. 'Oftentimes, older folk will start playing to entertain their children or grandchildren. 'But very quickly, they also get hooked. Some have remarked that it helps keep their mind sharp. 'In some countries, board games are also used to alleviate mental health issues or delay the effects of neurodegenerative conditions,' he added. Looking back on the event, Goh said the response was really rewarding. 'Last year, there was a steady stream of people sitting down to play at different booths. 'Quite a lot returned this year, in addition to many newcomers who revealed that they last played a board game when they were kids. 'It was a joy to see whole families go from booth to booth and spend meaningful time together. 'This shows that board games are a healthy pastime for everyone,' Goh added.