7 Jun – The people of Penang enjoyed a wonderful movie showcase on the Agong's birthday as the inaugural 10-day MovieBlockbusta! was launched last weekend.

Penang State Minister for Tourism Development, Cultural, Art & Heritage YB Danny Law and Queensbay Mall GM Selina Ng, flanked by Cinema Online CEO Chin Vin Sen, GSC Senior Operations Manager Sam Kok Kee and movie characters

Officiated by Penang State Minister for Tourism Development, Cultural, Art & Heritage YB Danny Law and Queensbay Mall GM Selina Ng last Saturday, 5 June 2010 at the first floor central zone, the opening ceremony was graced by Cinema Online CEO Chin Vin Sen, GSC Senior Operations Manager Sam Kok Kee and Citibank's director of Strategic Alliance & Alternative Channel Khaw Teik Gim. The event will be held at the same place daily up until 14 June 2010.

Iron Man, Predator, Shrek, Princess Fiona & Chun Li with Cinnamon The Lion

Freddy Krueger from Elm Street shares a laugh with Penang State Minister for Tourism Development, Cultural, Art & Heritage YB Danny Law

TM Costume Studio for people to dress up in their favourite movie characters and get their pictures printed

Sony's 3D World has a mini movie theatre to introduce the new 3D TV phenomenon to curious passersby

"We should encourage the children to study hard and play hard! Work and fun should be balanced." said Queensbay Mall GM Selina Ng.

Mall A& P manager Wendy Wong added: "Fun is the key element that has always been Queensbay Mall's interest and this year, we have this Movie BlockBusta to welcome movie-goers of all ages and from all walks of life to join us and be part of the fun. This is where everybody can proudly say - I'm a movie freak!"

Cinema Online CEO Chin Vin Sen said: "It's undeniable that movie-going is the No.1 past-time for Malaysians, so it's natural that more and more movie events are taking centrestage on the Malaysian calendar. Cinema Online is the preferred movie partner and we aim to bring the audience closer to the movies in all ways."

The two highlight s of the event are the Movie Marathon competition (June 12-13) whereby contestants are to endure 20 hours of movie-watching courtesy of Berjaya HVN and walk away with the grand prize of a SenQ 42" Plasma TV and other fantastic prizes, and the Cinema Online Cosplay competition where the best character appearance will win a 32" Sony Bravia TV on 13 June 2010.

Large crowds thronged the stage area to snap photos with their favourite movie characters all day long

There will also be a Digi Treasure Hunt on 12 June for you to win a Nokia handphone and other attractive prizes up to RM 3,000 in value.

Other activities include: Movie Characters Meet & Greet with Iron Man, War Machine, Predator, Streefighter's Chun Li, Hellboy, Freddy Krueger, Jedi Knight, Darth Maul, Starwars Imperial Guard, Boba Fett, Shrek, Princess Fiona, Woody & Buzz; Sony's 3D Theatre Experience, TM Mini Costume Studio, Popcorn-eating competition, Movie fans gathering, Guess the Movie Theme Song and Shrek colouring contest. More details are available on www.facebook.com/movieblockbusta.

L-R; Penang State Minister for Tourism Development, Cultural, Art & Heritage YB, GSC Senior Operations Manager Sam Kok Kee and Queensbay Mall GM Selina Ng

The sponsors and partners of the event are Cinema Online, Citibank, SenQ, TV3 Kids, Sony, Golden Screen Cinemas, Spotlite Magazine, TM, HVN, Firefly, Borders, Digi, T.G.I Fridays and Starbucks.

More photos from this event are available on Cinnamon The Lion's photo albums on Facebook.