Calling All Filmmakers and Activists!
The 5th annual Freedom Film Fest (FFF) began its campaign to promote and highlight socially conscious film making and films about human rights. the launch also signifies the calling for submissions for the “Dare 2 Document” film proposal competition 2008. the 2008 logo and theme “Democratic Space – Making Room for Human Rights” was also unveiled.Democracy is deteriorating in Malaysia. There are increasing restrictions to freedom of speech, assembly, information, free and fair elections, religious practice and other basic rights. Hidden behind the facade of economic progress is an authoritarian state using its machinery to deny our inherent human rights!
The questions that beg to be asked are: “What really is Democracy in Malaysia?”, “Where are the Democratic Spaces, if any, in Malaysia?” and “What can we do as citizens to reclaim our democratic rights?”
KOMAS invites members of the of public to send in their proposals before the deadline on the 31st March, 2008 to compete for the chance to be one of the three lucky people to receive a RM5,000 grant each to turn your film into a reality!
Winners will also receive the Justin Louis Award and technical assistance from KOMAS to produce their winning stories. Completed films will premiere at the FFF2008 screenings and will ultimately compete for the “Most Outstanding Human Rights Film” title.
For the past five years, FFF has earned a strong reputation for catalyzing and creating an open space for sharing socially engaging media and critical discussions among different sectors of the Malaysian public. Last year, the FFF2007 screened 32 social documentaries and independent films from all over the world in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru and was received with great enthusiasm from the public. This year, we hope to extend the FFF2008 film screenings to East Malaysia.
As part of the build-up to FFF2008, KOMAS will also be organising a series of video workshops throughout the year for community members, film makers and social activists to learn how to highlight human rights issues through the powerful medium of film. Special forums and dialogue sessions with renowned social film makers and activists from Malaysia and other countries will also be organised.
http://www.freedomfilmfest.komas.org/2008/news/dare-2-document-2008-calling-for-film-proposals/
March 3, 2008
You may have received this already but I still want to share this with you. Our modern life keeps us always on the move and oftentimes we loose the more important side of life. Take care and all the best.
I know the story below is quite long, but trust me – it is worth 3-5 minutes of your time.
The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the Mayonnaise Jar and the 2 Cups of Coffee.A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar, he shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes.”
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
“Now,” said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things… your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions, and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else… the small stuff. “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
“Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first… the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, “I’m glad you asked.” The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Cups of Coffee with a friend.”
Please share this with someone you care about. I JUST DID 
February 1, 2008
Kakaumpisa pa lang ng taon 2008 at malayo ka sa ‘Pinas. Lagi kang nakatingin dito, siyempre nagaalala sa mga iniwan mong mahal sa buhay. Talagang mahal na mahal sila, dahil tiniis mong lumayo sa mga mahal mo para mabigyan mo sila nang magandang kinabukasan. Mabuhay ka, kabayan. Bukod tangi at kahangahanga ka. Ingat lagi.
January 22, 2008
I’m a regular rider of the LRT 2 – Purple Line. Its a very convenient and practical way of going from Cubao, Quezon City to the university belt, where I teach in one of the universities. I’ve started doing this on a regular basis this second semester. In the process, I’ve observed that we do have a growing population of foreign students here in the Philippines: Koreans (a big bulk), Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Americans, and a sprinkling of other nationalities. The train is a microcosm of Filipino life: from the countless students to the buyers of goods in Divisoria, to the occasional tourist. Who knows some of these kids may be your own, struggling with their books to make you proud, after all those times of toiling in the desert, hospital, homes, ships, and foreign lands, Mabuhay ka kabayan!
January 16, 2008
