"This experience allowed me to forge new friendships, learn new techniques, and explore a genre of filmmaking very different from what I'm used to. I'm incredibly grateful for everything I gained from this event." - Xinti L. (Grade 10)

The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) was proud to host the recent International Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) Cultural Convention (CulCon) from November 7 - 9, 2024, a celebration of creative talent that brought together student filmmakers and visual artists with five other international schools across the region.

IASAS, a unique platform that unites six international schools in Southeast Asia, including ISKL, is renowned as one of the world's premier international school activities and athletics conferences. The IASAS competitions, a highlight of ISKL's High School (HS) calendar, span three athletic seasons with 13 international tournaments and two distinct Cultural Conventions featuring Music, Art, Drama, Dance, Film, Debate, and Forensics, and MUN.

This year's IASAS CulCon for Art and Film held at ISKL's state-of-the-art campus showcased student work in visual arts and film, offering young creatives from IASAS schools to explore their craft and connect with like-minded peers. Over three days, the campus transformed into a hub of inspiration and innovation, highlighting the power of storytelling and artistic expression.

An exciting red carpet event on the first evening set the tone for three days of creativity and collaboration. This glamorous evening, they showcased the extraordinary talents of participating students with captivating art exhibits and film screenings. ISKL's Head of School, Mr. Rami Madani, shared, "The thought-provoking film premiere and stunning art exhibition was a truly inspiring start to a convention dedicated to creative exploration. As always, it is wonderful to see the impressive talent, excitement, and passion of these young artists and filmmakers."

Attendees walked through a gallery of masterpieces during the visual arts exhibition and were then treated to a student film screening at the Robert B. Gaw Theatre.  

Highlights of IASAS CulCon:

Visual Arts Exhibition: The visual arts exhibition celebrated diverse student masterpieces, featuring 25 artworks chosen from each school. From striking paintings, stunning ceramics, fashion installations, and intricate photography works to innovative digital designs, this rich tapestry of artistic expression showcased the diversity of perspectives across the region, which was a feast for the eyes and a journey of cultural enrichment. 

Film Premiere: All six IASAS schools were asked to create up to twelve minutes of short films based on a prompt for the year: the phrase Beralih Angin in Bahasa Melayu, which translates to "changing wind." Filmmakers were challenged to craft short films of under three minutes that explored this concept in a genre of their choosing. 

Furthermore, two of these films created by Grade 10 students from ISKL were submitted to the UDEM International Student Film Festival. This esteemed festival serves as a platform for inspiring young filmmakers to explore and express universal human values through the art of cinema. Abhig R. ('27), who skillfully directed "Candidate 33," was honored with the prestigious Best International Short Film award for outstanding work. Meanwhile, Alex B. ('27), the creative mind behind "They Seek," received an Honorable Mention for his compelling storytelling. Both accomplishments reflect the dedication and creativity of these young filmmakers.

Collaborative Workshops with ISKL Alumni and International Professionals: 

In addition to showcasing student talent, the convention played a major role in celebrating Malaysia's rich artistic heritage. By integrating local artists into the conference, the event brought a unique blend of international and Malaysian talent, promoting cultural exchange and appreciation among the IASAS delegates. 

Grade 12 ISKL student and IASAS CulCon art delegate CJ P. ('25) recalled her experience participating in letterpress, photography, and stop motion animation workshops, saying "I enjoyed photography the most since it involved taking black-and-white pictures using a vintage camera. Every camera adjustment had to be done manually, which was a fun experience." 

Film delegates explored advanced cinematography, editing, and storytelling techniques through hands-on workshops led by professional filmmakers and ISKL alumni. Among the many workshops offered, three were held by members of the ISKL Alumni community. They were alumni faculty Breen O'Reilly (1997-2001), an Irish educational consultant based in KL; alumni student Cam McCutcheon (‘17), a Canadian colorist and photographer; and alumni student Moe Izwan Kamal (‘00), a Malaysian filmmaker.

Kamal, currently a writer/producer/director for his own film and TV production company, Jo Mama Productions, has been in the production field for the past 24 years and led the specialty workshop “How to Master the Art of the 3-Minute Story,” where he offered the tools on how to write an engaging 3-5 page screenplay (3 minutes on film). When asked what motivated him to return to ISKL as a workshop speaker, he says, “Alumni faculty, Breen O’Reilly was my motivation. 25 years ago, he opened my eyes and heart to the art of filmmaking, and I wanted to pass on my experience and passion to students, hoping to inspire them just as Breen did for me. These students will create stories that will impact the world one day.”

Xinti L. ('27), a Grade 10 ISKL student and IASAS film delegate, mentions that one of the highlights of the conference was working in groups from each IASAS school to create films based on prompts given by teachers. "Watching our final creations on the big screen was a thrilling experience and brought us immense pride and joy. This experience allowed me to forge new friendships, learn new techniques, and explore a genre of filmmaking very different from what I'm used to. I'm incredibly grateful for everything I gained from this event," says Xinti. 

Engaging Activities for Art and Film Delegates On and Off Campus:

During the three-day conference, art delegates visited galleries such as Rimbun Dahan, the National Art Gallery, and Ilham Gallery, as well as an immersive exhibition at REX KL. These visits provided constructive feedback and fresh perspectives on contemporary art practices, enriching the students' creative processes. Delegates also participated in an interactive online art critique, where they were able to provide input on the artworks displayed at the exhibition.

Visual art delegates participated in interactive workshops on mixed media, printmaking, photography, and digital design led by local artists, inspiring them to experiment with new techniques. One highlight was The Collaboration Project, a Gelli plate printing initiative incorporating Malaysian cultural motifs, allowing all IASAS delegates to celebrate unity and diversity through artwork.

IASAS film delegates collaborated with peers to produce a short film in the creative community hub Rex KL, located in downtown Kuala Lumpur, emphasizing teamwork and creative problem-solving. On campus, delegates attended a Q&A session with Malaysian filmmakers, providing valuable industry insights and giving students a behind-the-scenes look into professional filmmaking.

Art and Workshop leaders and organizations included:

• Keri Noor batik

• Radhi Ibrahim

• Rico Leong

• Jeffery Lim

• Lostgens' Studio

• Breen O'Reilly, ISKL Alumni Faculty (1997-2001)

• Firdaus Sufiyan

• Gavin Yap

• Grim Film

• We Jun Cho

• Benji Lim

• Moe Izwan Kamal (‘00)

• Quinlan Orear

• Cam McCutcheon, ISKL Alumni Student (‘17)

IASAS CulCon 2024 highlights ISKL's commitment to developing students who are academically strong, culturally aware, and artistically involved. We extend our gratitude to the IASAS community and all participating schools for contributing to the success of this year's event. 

For more information on the HS student experience, please visit the ISKL website.

This content is provided by ISKL.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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