BY James Kon

Local filmmaker Abdul Zainidi who attended the 27th edition of the Busan International Film Festival in Busan, South Korea, promoted his latest film, Vanishing Children Triangle, to be released locally for the Brunei December Festival 2022.

He also pitched his films to curators, festival programmers and distributors at the ‘Platform Busan’ segment.

According to Abdul Zainidi the festival is like returning to a family with many familiar faces.

“It provides many opportunities and chances for our films (for example) to travel and be seen in other places.

“I met a programmer who has never heard of Brunei and now he is interested in taking my films to showcase. It is about networking and my experience overall has been positive and I took all the opportunities I could get,” he said.

Abdul Zainidi also met Korean drama Deserter Pursuit star Jung Hae-in and Kang Sang-ho, the main actor of the acclaimed Korean film Parasite.

This year, Abdul Zainidi took part in the ‘Platform Busan’ segment of the festival which is an opportunity for international filmmakers to meet and even pitch during the festival.

It was not the first time that Abdul Zainidi attended Busan International Film Festival. He received a scholarship in 2018 to the Busan Asian Film School for a year being mentored and learning the craft and business, culminating in an award for ‘Best Southeast Asia Project’ for his film Worm and the Widow.

He also won the top prize at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival that same year. He is the first Bruneian to be selected under the Asian Film Academy – a film incubator programme under the Busan International Film Festival.

This year another Bruneian was presented with scholarship to the Busan Asian Film School. Imelda Groves is undergoing training in filmmaking.

Abdul will next travel to Davao, Phillipines where his films, Vanishing Children Triangle and Cloud Jacket, have been selected for the Ngilngig International Fantastic Film Festival. He will also serve as a jury member in the short film section.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin