21 Feb – Back for its third edition, the ASEAN International Film Festival (AIFFA) 2017 will once again be held in Malaysia's Bornean state, Sarawak. AIFFA 2017 will see quite a feline-themed event this year as it makes its return to the state's capital city, Kuching. The film lineup and special guests have yet to be announced for the festival but it is already shaping up to be a not-to-be-missed event. One of the highlights this year is the festival will be attempting a Guinness World Record for the largest crowd dressed in cat costumes. Guests are invited to dress up in their favourite cat costumes to attempt this record on 4 May at the Kuching Amphitheater.
Kicking off on 4 May, AIFFA 2017 will open with the AIFFA Movie Marathon, in which international and ASEAN film screenings will be held at selected cinemas around Kuching. The day will also include Café Crawl, in which film chats and screenings will be held at selected cafes. The day will wrap up with a concert with Alleycats and Dayang Nurfaizah at the Kuching Amphetheatre, where the aforementioned Guinness World Record will be attempted. The nominated films for AIFFA 2017 Awards and winner of Sarawak Youth Short Film Education and Competition will also be announced on the same day. AIFFA 2017 Awards has a total of 16 categories, including the Special Jury Award, ASEAN Inspiration Award, ASEAN Spirit Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award. On 5 May, the official launch for AIFFA Biz World will be held, which will include business talks, film financing, exhibitions and networking. Café Crawl will also be held on this day. On the final day of AIFFA 2017, all three AIFFA Movie Marathon, AIFFA Biz World and Café Crawl will be held, with the addition of AIFFA 2017 Gala Night, where stars will grace the red carpet and winners for the AIFFA 2017 Awards will be announced. Since its inception in 2013, AIFFA has been held biennially in Sarawak and has been attended by various movie stars such as Hong Kong star Datuk Jackie Chan, Malaysian actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh and Philippines film icon Nora Aunor.
Prior to the main event in early May, AIFFA 2017 will be organising several activities across Malaysia and its neighbouring countries. Since its soft launch on 16 February, AIFFA 2017 has held a film workshop with Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba for the Sarawak youth, launched the Sarawak Youth Short Film Education and Competition, and held exhibitions in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. From 23 to 28 February, AIFFA 2017 will hold activities in Singapore, Jakarta, Manila and Bangkok, aiming to engage regional filmmakers as well as the ASEAN and international media. In March, from the 17th to the 19th, the festival will hold its promo launch in Kuala Lumpur and a 3-day Hollywood MasterClass Program at Taylor's Lakeside University, Bandar Sunway. For the whole month of April, Kuching residents will be able to watch ASEAN films for free every weekend at the Godown Amphitheatre Waterfront. Meanwhile, in May, Kuching cinemagoers will get to enjoy ASEAN and international hit films in cinemas for only RM1 – by meowing at the ticket counter at selected cinemas. The ASEAN International Film Festival 2017 will run from 4 to 6 May.