Sabah Film Lab

Making a short documentary or narrative Film

programme Date:

3 – 10 August 2025

Registration closing date:

20 June 2025
Register Now

Timetable For Sabah Film Lab 2025

What is it?

  • 4 teams of participants from Sabah & around Malaysia.
  • Working with local & international filmmaking mentors.
  • Making a short documentary OR narrative film.
  • To be premièred on Awards Night (10 August).

What do participants do?

  • Documentary teams have 4 members:  Director, DP, Sound, Editor.
  • Narrative teams have 5 members:  Director, Production Manager, Assistant Director/Continuity, Camera Assistant, DP or Editor.

Who Can Apply?

  1. Malaysians or residents in Malaysia over 18 years of age and excited about working in filmmaking.
  2. Already have some experience in making a film.
  3. Can communicate in English (the official language of the KKIFF).

How to Apply?

  1. Fill in the Sabah Film Lab application form.
  2. Attach a link to any films you have already made.
Register now!

Applications close on 20th June 2025

Mentors for Sabah Film Lab 2025

Isazaly Isa
(Malaysia)

    Gabrielle Kelly
    (Ireland / USA)

      Putri Purnama Sugua
      (Malaysia)

        Roy Taoho
        (New Zealand)

          Hikaru Toda
          (Japan)

            Imri Nasution
            (Malaysia)

              Additional Information
              1.  Team members will decide on their roles on Day 1 (Sunday, 3 August)
                Documentary: Director, DP, Sound, Editor
                Narrative: Director, Production Manager, Asst Director/Continuity, DP, Editor
              2. Narrative teams are responsible for finding their own actors.
              3. Each team will be given a shooting allowance of up to RM2,000, which includes protagonists’ or actor’s fees, food and drink.
              4. Payment of these allowances is refundable on production of receipts.
              5. The Mentors’ Awards will be made to participants selected by the mentors as being the most valuable members of their team, who show leadership qualities and have budding potential.
              6. The short films made during the Sabah Film Lab are the property of the KKIFF. Teams may ask permission from the KKIFF for screenings and submissions to film festivals.
              Frequently Asked Questions
              Who can participate in the Sabah Film Lab?

              The Sabah Film Lab accepts participants who have some experience in making films or videos. This may also include short films, promo videos, advertisement, corporate videos, social media videos/reels etc.

              Participants have to be Malaysians or residents of Malaysia, aged 18 and above.

              What is required of the participants during the Sabah Film Lab?

              Participants are required to attend all 8 days of the program fully where they will learn from the mentors and broken down into two(2) groups (Narrative or Documentary) to create their own films. By the end of the program, the teams will debut their films during the KKIFF Awards Night.

              Is there a registration fee to join Sabah Film Lab?

              No, there isn’t a registration fee.

              Is accommodation provided for participants?

              Yes, accommodation is provided. However, it is for participants who are not based in Kota Kinabalu or its neighbouring towns.

              Is film shooting equipment like cameras, tripods, lighting and editing software etc provided during the programme?

              Yes, it is. All teams will be given their own set of equipment for the films they will be making during the program.

              Are actors provided for the films that the Narrative Team will be making?

              Narrative teams are responsible for finding their own actors.

              However, each team will be given a shooting allowance up to RM2,000, which includes actors’ and protagonists’ fees. Payment of these allowances is refundable on production of receipts.

              Will food be provided during the program?

              No. Participants are required to get their own food during the program.

              Does the KKIFF have rights to the films created during the Sabah Film Lab?

              Yes. The short films made during the Sabah Film Lab are the property of the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival.

              However, SFL teams may ask permission from the KKIFF for screenings and submissions to other film festivals.

              What happens after the program?

              All films made during the Sabah Film Lab will be premiered at the KKIFF Awards Night. We will also have a special award given to SFL participants called The Mentor’s Awards.

              The Mentors’ Awards will be made to participants selected by the mentors as being the most valuable members of their team, who show leadership qualities and have budding potential.

              Got any more questions? Send us an email info@kkiff.com or send us a WhatsApp +60178212132 (Jasmine).