SABAH: Award-winning filmmaker Nadira Ilana highlighted the challenges faced by Sabah's creative industry, citing the National Cultural Policy of 1971 as a significant barrier to its development. Speaking at the Daily Express Creative Minds Forum in Kota Kinabalu, she emphasized the need for a robust film culture to support the state's burgeoning film output and address the ongoing brain drain affecting local talent. The 1971 policy, which prioritized Malay identity, limited the cultural and linguistic freedoms necessary for Sabah's arts sector to thrive. This historical backdrop has forced many talented Sabahans to leave the state to hone their skills elsewhere, contributing to a persistent brain drain.
The forum, moderated by Ricardo Unto, served as a platform to discuss these issues and potential solutions for fostering a vibrant creative ecosystem in Sabah. "Because of those national policies, it dictated whether or not I was able to speak Dusun, whether or not Sabahans could learn about our own history and cultural heritage. And it made things very challenging for a lot of Sabah creatives," Nadira said. The development of a film culture is seen as crucial for matching Sabah's growing film output. This includes establishing infrastructure for distributing, marketing, and archiving films.
Moving forward, the focus will be on creating platforms and community initiatives to enhance the visibility of Sabahan films both locally and internationally.
Image credit: Malay Mail
