WordHasIt: Time To Sharpen Film Marketing Strategies
Mizal (left) and Emylia posing at their restaurant Zucchero Cafe in KL.
With the progress of technology, buying and selling films and TV serials via the Internet creates a huge potential for Malaysian products to make it big internationally.
Siti will be featured in a TV serial to be aired over TV3 next year.
But you need a marketing strategy.
“At a time when Malaysian cinema stands poised to influence the global film arena, filmmakers need to embrace the importance of marketing their movies,” said Finas director-general Mohd Mahyidin Mustakim at a meeting held at the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) in Ulu Kelang, Selangor recently.
The meeting focused on the benefits of marketing strategies, sales and acquisitions of local films/TV shows for international film markets.
“If Malaysian filmmakers have the right formula to market their films abroad, there’s a lot of money to be made internationally. There are many local filmmakers who are interested to make films for the overseas market and to bring home big money,” he added.
Yet, he stressed, there is a big gap between how films are marketed locally and how they are marketed abroad. There is, however, a growing interest in film distribution abroad.
Therefore, it is crucial to provide the exposure and marketing practices to help these films make the crossover, said Mahyidin.
Understandably, taking part in a international film markets will help penetrate the international arena.
With the co-operation of Finas, Malaysian producers have, to date, participated in three major international film markets including Hong Kong FilmArt in Wanchai, Hong Kong; and MIPTV and MIPCOM (both held in Cannes, France).
According to Mahyidin, local producers who are keen to participate in the international film markets will obtain a RM5,000 fund from Finas. (So far, Finas has invested RM120,000 to assist 24 films in promotion and publicity aspects.)
He added that the total statistics on transactions made by local producers at previous international film markets was RM1.57million.
“It’s a modest figure compared to what the other big players such as Hollywood and Bollywood are making. Yet we have realised that Malaysian products are slowly getting the recognition. Normally, our products such as documentaries, animated series and TV serials are the hot-sellers among TV producers from the Middle East and Europe.
“Foreign film producers, on the other hand, will opt for action-packed movies and thrillers. What with the present gloomy climate of cinema-dome worldwide, foreign producers are cutting costs and have not been actively acquiring programmes from other countries,” said Mahyidin.
He added that film producers are able to obtain fresh and new knowledge of the international film scene.
“They can learn everything – from artistic trends and high-end technology to the market ecology and mode of operation, and thus have a wide and realistic frame of reference,” he added.
Mahyidin also revealed that Finas will be taking part in the American Film Market (AFM) at Santa Monica in United States from Nov 5 to 12.
Five production houses have confirmed participation including Grand Brilliance Sdn Bhd, Hez Communication, Les’ Copaque Production, Line Clear Production and Take One Production.
* Film actor/TV personality AC Mizal and his wife, Emylia Rosnaida, have followed in the footsteps of rocker Amy Search to set up a food business.
Mizal, who previously hosted the sixth season of Akademi Fantasia, recently launched his restaurant, Zucchero Cafe, which is located at Warisan Cityview in Jalan Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
The restaurant offers both Western and Asian cuisine.
According to Emylia, the idea to set up the restaurant came about two years ago.
“As we’re financially stable, we feel that it’s timely for us to invest in a profitable venture, which is naturally, the food business,” said Amilia, adding that the restaurant is operated by their share partners.
“Mizal will come to the restaurant three times a week to monitor its operations,” she added.
Zucchero Cafe opens from 11am to 1am and offers free wi-fi service.
Mizal will be starring in My Spy, a comedy directed by Afdlin Shauki. Produced by KRU Films Berhad, the film also boasts Harun Salim Bachik and Choy May Wan.
Apart from that, his fans will be able to catch the revamped version of his talkshow, AC DiSini, over Astro Ria (Channel 104) beginning November.
* THE nation’s most-loved songstress Datuk Siti Nurhaliza may soon be seen on TV – in a different role. Word is that she will appear in a TV serial over TV3 sometime next year.
* IT is rumoured that film actor/director/TV personality Adlin Aman Ramlie and his actress-girlfriend Emelda Rosmila may tie the knot some time next year.
The celebrity couple has been dating for the past three years. So far, no official announcement has been made.
New Straits Times
HEAR: Festive Season Fare
LEBARAN SITI BERSAMA TEMAN-TEMAN
Siti Nurhaliza and others
(Suria Records)
SITI Nurhaliza’s popular rendition of Hari Raya songs is now way up there – together with other Hari Raya must-have tunes including Selamat Hari Raya (Saloma) and Hai Selamat Hari Raya (Datuk Sharifah Aini), Dari Jauh Ku Pohon Maaf (Sudirman) and Suasana Hari Raya (Anuar and Elina), to name a few.
So it came as no surprise when this compilation arrived on my desk. A quick browse through the 16 songs by Siti and other female artistes under the label revealed that it had left out one hit song – the upbeat Nazam Lebaran.
If not for her other hit Hari Raya songs – Sesuci Lebaran, Anugerah Aidilfitri, Airmata Syawal, Bila Hari Raya Menjelma – I would have been so disappointed. Besides, all songs have been previously released at various stages in the singer’s career.
The group song Aidilfitri di Alaf Baru, despite having Siti’s faultless vocals, still fails to impress me, especially when it gets to the line “lebaran dengan keazaman, melangkah menuju wawasan” loosely translated to mean celebrating Raya with a vision. Somehow, Hari Raya and politics just don’t mix.
The guitar-driven 5 Waktu by Indonesian singer Yuni Shara is a winner, for turning contemporary pop into a spiritual tune about man’s relationship with God. The album’s VCD version is also available. – FAF
Selected tracks: Anugerah Aidilfitri, Bila Hari Raya Menjelma, Sesuci Lebaran
Rating: HHH´
KOLEKSI NASYID PUJI-PUJIAN
Various
Warner Music)
UNDOUBTEDLY, Warner Music is responsible for putting nasyid back on radio and in listeners’ hearts with the release of Raihan’s first album, Puji-Pujian, in the late 1990s, decades after popularising the ’70s nasyid group Al-Mizan.
With the release of this compilation, featuring 16 popular spiritual songs from renowned established and new groups, fans will have plenty to thank the label for.
In the album are hits by Raihan (Puji-Pujian, Syukur), Rabbani (Muhammad Ya Habibi, Doa Pujian), Hijjaz (Rasulullah), UNIC (Hanya Tuhan Yang Tahu), Nowseeheart (Damai), In-Team (Impian Kasih) as well as a duet by Jay Jay and Mirwana (Aku Tanpa Cintamu).
Al-Mizan’s popular track back in the ’70s Junjungan Mulia, is also featured here – and what a difference in sound it is! After so long, to hear such crisp quality is a whole new experience. Too bad it’s not available for ringback tone mobile downloads.
Ya Nami Salamun ‘Alaika, by Raihan, Nowseeheart, Hijjaz, Brothers and Amaluddin, is an example of great vocal group singing. It’s richly textured and layered. – FAF
Selected tracks: Syukur, Junjungan Mulia
Ratings: HHH´
KUMPULAN NASYID WANITA TERBAIK
Al-Mizan, Al-Jawaher, Hidayah
(Warner Music)
THIS digitally re-mastered collection of 24 popular nasyid tunes (in two discs) from yesteryear carry much nostalgic and spiritual beauty.
Those who grew up in the ’70s will have plenty of reasons to rejoice with the release with this compilation. Now, in digital format, you can hear all the things you didn’t pick up when the songs were released on records.
For one thing, the vocal harmonising is all over the place and the vocalists tend to be too sharp or too flat. Pitching is another area that the record producers forgot to address back then. But never mind, they still warm up my hearts in this festive season and beyond.
Female nasyid groups Al-Mizan, Al-Jawaher and Hidayah were all part of the industry’s musical landscape before the more radio-friendly and ground-breaking Pop Yeh Yeh took over the airwaves and made themselves relevant to popular culture.
With these nasyid groups, there’s nothing glamorous about their image and their voices are rather plain, but the beautiful melodies and the vocalists’ earnestness won us over. And of course the retro tunes (some of which are penned by M.Nasir himself)! – FAF
Selected tracks: Doaku, Mari Bersembahyang, Perjalanan, Junjungan Mulia… and so many more!
Rating: HHH´
New Straits Times
Datuk K Quashes Rumours Of Second Wife
Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa and Datuk Siti Nurhaliza at a press conference during a breaking fast function in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Did Datuk Seri Khalid Mohd Jiwa marry another?
When posed the question yesterday, Khalid, who was present at a breaking fast function organised by Siti Nurhaliza Production, was a picture of calm.
“It’s totally baseless; the so-called marriage never took place.
“If it was true, when did it happen and to whom did I get married to?
“In short, it was just gossip. The weird thing is, why do reporters like to blow things out of proportion over something that is completely baseless?
“I guess that’s the price I have to pay for marrying someone like Siti.”
Siti, who was seated beside her husband, was all smiles and composed.
“I know that these bloggers and gossip-mongers who started the rumour wanted to see me blow my top.
“But I have never doubted my husband’s loyalty.
“However, after so many friends asked me personally about it, I did ask Datuk Seri if it was true, and he denied it.”
At the event, Siti Nurhaliza Production took the opportunity to introduce the artistes under its stable.
They included her sisters, Saerah and Saida, and a band called Coda.
New Straits Times
Weekend Watch: Merdeka Specials
Neha Dhupia stars in Sheesha tomorrow on RTM2, 12.30pm.
IT’S our 51st National Day this Sunday and there are some interesting programmes to look out for.
Samantha Schubert stars in The Red Kebaya on RTM1, 8.45pm tomorrow.
On the eve of Merdeka, catch Ambang Merdeka live on RTM1 and RTM2 at 10.30pm and 9.15pm respectively.
The show will be telecast live from three locations – Dataran Merdeka, Bukit Bintang dan KLCC.
Kumpulan Raihan, Jefrydin, Winnie Kok, Estranged, Kumpulan Rabbani, Ahmad Jais, Stacey, Meet Uncle Hussain, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Mawi, Karen Kong, Andre Goh, Manivanam, Tofa and Helmy The Gimmick will be performing.
A Merdeka special documentary called My Way will be aired on ntv7 tomorrow at 1.30pm. This half-an-hour programme takes you to all the historical places in the country.
Also catch Panggung Merdeka: The Red Kebaya tomorrow at 8.45pm on RTM1.
This movie is about Latiff, a famous but lonely photographer who sets out on an expedition to photograph abandoned houses around Malaysia.
On his journey he is haunted by images and sounds that remind him of his traumatic childhood.
The movie stars Vanidah Imran, Ramli Hassan, Bob Mercer, Samantha Schubert, Zahim Albakri, Sabera Shaik, Fauziah Nawi and Elaine Daly.
On Sunday, catch the National Day Parade live from Dataran Merdeka over RTM1, ntv7 and 8TV at 7.30am.
Music fans can catch The 35th Annual American Music Awards 2007 on Sunday at 11.15pm over 8TV.
The show, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, features celebrity presenters and performances by Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Celine Dion, Daughtry, Fergie and lots more.
TOMORROW
Panggung Sabtu (Hindi Movie) (TV3, 2pm) – Bhool Bhulaiyaa
When US-based Siddharth visits his Indian home town with his new wife, he insists they stay at the ancestral home, laughing off family members’ warnings of ghostly goings-on in the mansion. But events soon make him reconsider his beliefs. Starring Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Amisha Patel and Paresh Rawal.
Liar Liar (English Movie) (TV3, 12.30am)
Fletcher Reid is a fast-talking attorney and a habitual liar. When his son Max blows out the candles on his fifth birthday cake, he has only one wish: that his dad would stop lying for 24 hours. You can imagine what ensures when his wish actually comes true. Starring Jim Carrey, Maura Tierney and Justin Cooper.
Bollygood Time On 2 – Sheesha (Hindi Movie) (RTM2, 12.30pm)
Sia and Raj’s professional friendship blossoms into love and they get married. Trouble starts when Sia’s twin sister, Ria, comes into their life and starts to take a liking for her brother-in-law. Starring Neha Dhupia, Sonu Sood and Elidh MacQueen.
Death Note (Japanese movie) (8TV, 8.30pm)
Yagami is an intelligent man who resents crime and corruption. His life undergoes a drastic change when he discovers a mysterious notebook known as the “Death Note” lying on the ground. The “Death Note” claims that whoever’s name is written in it will die. Starring Erika Toda, Ken’ichi, Tatsuya Fujiwara and Asaka Seto.
Suara Saleha (Malay movie) (TV3, 10pm)
Saleha, a widow who lives with her mother and her sister Radiah, gets by selling nasi lemak. Her mother is senile and Radiah works as a GRO. To make matters worse, Saleha’s family matters are the target of the village gossips. Starring Ogy Ahmad Daud, Fauziah Nawi and Raja Azura.
SUNDAY
Mazhai (Tamil movie) (RTM2, 12.30pm)
Arjun, an unemployed youngster, and Deva, a powerful don, are in love with Sailaja. Arjun keeps bumping into Sailaja every time it rains. This makes them both feel that it is perhaps the rain that keeps bringing them together, and they start to fall in love. Deva, on the other hand, makes use of her father to get close to her. Starring Jayam Ravi, Shriya and Rahul Dev.
Yours, Mine & Ours (English movie) (RTM2, 3pm)
A Coast Guard Admiral and a handbag designer fall in love and marry, much to the dismay of her 10 and his eight children. When both families move into a new house, they struggle to stay as one family. Starring Dennis Quaid, Rene Russo, Sean Faris, Katija Pevec and Dean Collins.
New Straits Times
Mamat’s Film Parody Bags 5 Awards
Putrajaya. 9 Ogos 2008. Penerbit Tayangan Unggul, Gayatry Su Ann Pillai, Pengarah Terbaik, filem Kala malam Bulan Mengambang, Mamat Khalid dan Pelakon Lelaki terbaik, RFisyam Nor bersma nugerah masing-masingPemenang Anugerah pada Malam Kemuncak Fstival Filem Malaysia ke-21 di Dewan Plenary di Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa Putrajaya (PICC) di Putrajaya, semalam.
PUTRAJAYA: Kala Malam Bulan Mengambang, a parody of the 1950s filmed in black and white, proved to be the biggest winner at the 21st Malaysian Film Festival (FFM21) awards held here last night.
Lisa Surihani won the most promising actress award in ‘I’m Not Single’
Hans Isaac won the best screenplay and most promising director award
Erynne Erynna won the best child actor award for the movie ‘Congkak’
The movie won awards in five categories, including the best film, at the event at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).
Its director, Mamat Khalid, won the best director award, which was the first time he had won a major award.
The film won RM50,000 and 20 cans of film sponsored by Kodak and Mamat received RM25,000.
Rosyam Nor won the best actor award for his portrayal of an investigative reporter in the film.
Other awards received were for best art direction and best costume.
Maya Karin won the best actress award for her role in Anak Halal while Zul Huzaimy Marzuki and Ruminah Sidek won for best supporting actor and actress respectively.
The night also saw a total of four special jury awards being given out.
In addition to that, three special awards were presented to the film Duyung (Special box office award), Ruminah Sidek (Special veteran actress award) and Wahid Satay (Special veteran actor award).
Themed “Towards excellence in Malaysian film”, FFM21 was attended by Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and was aired live on Astro Ria.
A red carpet event and performances by artistes such as Misha Omar, Farah, Bob and Datuk Siti Nurhaliza added sparkle to the event.
FFM21 was jointly organised by the National Film Development Corporation, The Federation of Film Professional Societies of Malaysia and Film Producers’ Association of Malaysian.
New Straits Times
Who Will Be MTV Asia’s Best?
Radio-friendly Daughtry is nominated in the Breakthrough Artiste category.
Over 50 local and international artistes will be honoured at the MTV Asia Awards event to be held in the highlands. SHARIFAH ARFAH writes.
Once again, Siti Nurhaliza is nominated in the Favourite Artist Malaysia category.
THE MTV Asia Awards will be held at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands on Aug 2. More than 50 local and international nominees are being honoured at Asia’s biggest pan-regional music event. There will be 16 categories – 10 of which is to be determined by MTV viewers’ votes in the Favourite Artistes category and six honorary awards for international artistes.
Nominees for the Favourite Artiste categories consist of the movers and shakers in the local music industry as well as the most popular international artistes in Asia.
Honorary awards will be presented by MTV Asia in recognition of key industry figures and trendsetters for fashion, music, video and live performances, to how the artistes market themselves.
For the regional categories, Asia’s hot favourites Stefanie Sun (Singapore) and Datuk Siti Nurhaliza (Malaysia) have been nominated yet again.
The excitement will to build as performers and awards presenters are announced in the coming weeks, culminating in a spectacular night where winners will be announced before to a live audience and televised to millions of homes in Asia.
Leading up to the awards, there will be fabulous contests and events planned around the show.
Vote for your favourite artiste and international artiste online or over your mobiles and you (and a friend) could win an all-expense paid trip to the MTV Asia Awards 2008 in Genting Highlands.
Go to the official website at www.mtvasiawards.com or the WAP site at wap.mtvasia.com/maa to vote.
Voters can also SMS their choice to 33776 (for Malaysian voters only) following the format MAA
A new exciting dimension of the awards will be the “So You Wanna Be A Presenter” contest.
Send in a video of how your local nominees should be presented at the MTV Asia Awards 2008 to the official website by July 13. The wackiest video from each market will be aired live at the awards show and the ultimate video will win an all-expense paid VIP trip for two to the awards.
Other exciting activities in the coming weeks are the Mosh-Pit auditions, as well as a roadshow.
The audition will be held at Zouk in Kuala Lumpur on July 19 from 6 to 9pm, while the roadshow will be held at Cineleisure Damansara on July 19-20, from noon onwards.
The latest updates on the MTV Asia Awards 2008 can be found on the official website at www.mtvasiaawards.com and WAP site at wap.mtvasia.com/maa.
Fans can also visit the official website for more information on awards-related contests and events.
Official partner sponsors for the MTV Asia Awards 2008 are edc by Esprit, Tourism Malaysia and Genting – City of Entertainment. The MTV Asia Awards 2008 is unleashed in Malaysia by Xpax.
New Straits Times
Bukit Jalil Showdown: Three Hot Leads
(From left) Stacy, Nadia, Riz, Nubhan and Toi.
Tomorrow being the finale of Akademi Fantasia’s sixth season, DENNIS CHUA treks through the essentials.
THE 10-week “adventure” for viewers of Astro’s most popular production ends tomorrow with a colourful grand finale at Stadium Putra in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
Akademi Fantasia Season Six (AF6), the first season of the reality talent show without zany Aznil Nawawi as host, will find its champion from amongst finalists from Perak, Sabah, Johor and Negri Sembilan.
They are Nadia Haswani Hasnan, 18 (Taiping); Idris (Riz) Zaizizi, 22, (Grik); Stacy Angie Anam, 18, (Kota Kinabalu); Nubhan Ahamad, 22, (Kuala Pilah); and Khairul Nizam (Toi) Baharom, 31, (Johor Baru).
At the end of the two-hour final live concert over Astro Ria at 9pm, the champion will walk away with a four-room bungalow located at the A’Famosa Resort in Malacca, a Peugeot 307 XS, RM25,000, holidays in South Africa, and New York and a Sony PlayStation.
Last year, the reality show crowned its first female champion, Norsyarmilla Jirin or Mila. Mila recently won the Discovery International Pop Festival in Varna, Bulgaria. This time round, the chances of a female AF champion emerging are high.
Nadia, Stacy and Riz are hugely popular with fans and the permanent judges Fauziah “Ogy” Ahmad Daud and Ning Baizura. Both agree these three are the strongest contenders for the crown.
As Fauziah put it: “Nadia, Stacy and Riz have been the most consistent, and by the eighth performance, I could see them in the finals.
“Nadia works hard to give a good performance and it shows. The same with Stacy. Riz, with his experience in singing contests, also never disappoints.”
Ning also felt that “the trio are truly talented and they work hard to give viewers what they want every week, minor hiccups aside.”
Stacy has been leading the pack in terms of SMS votes since the seventh concert.
Prior to that concert which saw Bukit Mertajam boy Alif Razali shown the door, the Kadazan-Dusun Stacy shared positions one and two with Alif almost weekly.
Fans and critics alike regard him as being meticulously prepared for every performance.
The former Gang Starz Season One singer who was with the band Evoke has won praise as the show’s “saving grace” whenever mediocrity was the order of the day.
Among Stacy’s best performances were when she sang Makhluk Tuhan Paling Seksi, a song made popular by Indonesian pop star Mulan, Dont’ Speak and Beat It.
Ogy has praised Stacy for taking on challenging songs and making them her own, a task which occasionally eludes the other female contender Nadia.
While Nadia has a tendency to imitate the original singers, which has drawn criticism from principal Ramli MS and occasional guest judge Adlin Aman Ramlie, few find fault with her powerful vocals which upstage that of her role model Mila.
It is no surprise that she is lead vocalist in the contestants’ weekly rendition of the Akademi Fantasia theme song Menuju Puncak.
Like Stacy, she delivers English and Bahasa Malaysia songs with ease; she is equally at home singing Beyonce’s One Night Only or Elyana’s Kalis Rindu.
Riz, who participated in Malaysian Idol 1, and competed under pop group Equal Star in Gang Starz Season One, has been this season’s “alpha male” both physically and talent-wise.
Riz generates the loudest cheers from the girls in weekly concerts.
The judges loved his take on romantic ballads such as Anuar Zain’s Ketentuan Hati and Imran Ajmain’s Seribu Tahun, as well as his rendition of Muse’s Time Is Running Out.
However, his attempt to Rock Around The Clock lacked oomph and earned him a tongue-lashing from Ogy.
Nubhan, with his “kampung boy” looks and melodious voice, initially charmed fans and judges with his takes on Malay pop hits such as Ruang Rindu by Letto and Tak Bisa Memilihmu by Sixth Sense.
However, the English songs, such as Bryan Adams’ Summer Of ’69, showed Nubhan’s limits.
Toi, the only father among the boys, may be a world-class angklung player but most of his weekly performances have been thrashed by Ogy and the equally acerbic Adlin.
However, he surprised everyone during the ninth concert with an excellent rendition of Handy Black’s hit song Kau Yang Bernama Seri.
Of the nine eliminated contestants, two created history in Akademi Fantasia, despite their less-than-outstanding performances.
They were pop queen Datuk Siti Nurhaliza’s elder sister Siti Norsaida Tarudin, 32, and Toi’s 44-year-old hometown friend, Hairina Abdul Halim aka. Mama Rina.
Siti Norsaida, a mother of four, failed to impress judges most of the time, and seemed a tad too nervous on stage.
Mama Rina, a divorcee with a daughter and two grandchildren, failed to break free from her lounge singer image, which she had cultivated in the last two decades.
AF6 marked the return of no-nonsense Ramli MS to the principal’s chair after four years.
The acclaimed composer and music director who is marking his 30th year in the music industry is best known as AF1′s sharpest critic and the principal of AF2, which was arguably the most popular and successful season.
“I have decided to give Akademi Fantasia another go. It is a programme that enables me to educate and train new talents for the music and entertainment industry,” he said.
AF6′s biggest surprise was the raising of the contestants’ maximum age limit from 29 to 45.
The move did not go down well with many fans as they felt that older talents would only be successful if they had been discovered in their 20s.
As for Aznil’s successor as host, AC Mizal of AC Di Sini fame, appears to be finding it tough filling in the shoes of the country’s No. 1 television presenter.
Nevertheless, AC has pleased fans by speeding up the elimination segment at the end of every weekly concert, doing away with the melodrama.
The daily Diari AF peeks into the lives of the students in their classroom, featuring zany Sarimah Ibrahim and Zainal Alam Kadir who are just the right persons to brief viewers on the goings-on at the Academy.
Intelligent, witty and always smiling, they have proven more than capable of assisting AC in his gargantuan task.
New Straits Times
Faizal Tahir Rocks At AIM Awards
Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Faizal Tahir with their awards at the Anugerah Industri Muzik at Putra World Trade Centre last night.
KUALA LUMPUR: Singer and TV personality Faizal Tahir scored big at this year’s Anugerah Industri Muzik, held to honour the creme de’ la creme of the music industry.
This is the first major AIM victory bagged by a reality TV show talent.
Faizal, who is the product of 8TV’s One In A Million, took home awards for Best New Artiste, Best Male Vocal Performance in an Album and Best Rock Album much to the delight of fans at Dewan Merdeka in Putra World Trade Centre last night.
In his acceptance speech, Faizal thanked his fans and expressed his ambition to raise the local music scene to greater heights.
Faizal, who was up for AIM awards in six categories, also won the much-coveted Album of the Year award for his debut album, Aku. Muzik. Kamu.
Hadiah Dari Hati by the industry’s darling, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, was named Best Pop Album. Siti was also the jury’s choice for Best Female Vocal Performer (In an Album).
Eclecticism by newcomer Melissa Indot and Maulana by Rabbani won Best Local English Album and Best Nasyid Album, respectively.
Multiple award winning composer/producer Fauzi Marzuki was bestowed the prestigious Anugerah Wirama for his lifetime dedication to the music industry.
Fauzi, who started playing music at age 12, has collaborated with the country’s A-list singers, including Sheila Majid and Jamal Abdillah.
Rock/hip pop outfit Pop Shuvit received the Anugerah Kembara for its ground-breaking brand of music, which has carved a niche among fans in Japan.
One in a Million winner Suki was named the Most Promising Artiste.
Entertainment was by this year’s nominees, who performed in various segments, including Warisan and Tribute. They were backed by musicians led by composer Audrey Suwito.
In its 15th year, the AIM awards was hosted by actor/film director Afdlin Shauki and singer/actress Adibah Noor.
The two-and-a-half-hour award ceremony was aired “live” over ntv7, Hot.fm and Fly.fm.
AWARD WINNERS
Best New Artiste – Faizal Tahir
Most Promising Artiste – Suki
Best Vocal Performance In An Album (Male) – Faizal Tahir (Aku. Muzik. Kamu)
Best Vocal Performance In An Album (Female)- Datuk Siti Nurhaliza (Hadiah dari Hati)
Best Album Cover – Designer Jenny Sun (After 
Best Engineered Album – After 8
Best Music Video Director – Sean Chan (album Sangkar)
Best Ethnic Pop Album – Melodi Ahlaan (Waheeda)
Best Nasyid Album – Maulana (Rabbani)
Best Rock Album – Aku. Muzik. Kamu (Faizal Tahir)
Best Pop Album – Hadiah dari Hati (Datuk Siti Nurhaliza)
Best Local English Album – Eclecticism (Melissa Indot)
Best Local Chinese Album – Here I Come (Andrew Tan)
Best Local Indian Album – Kanmani (Martin Zamigano)
Best Malay Song Performed by a Foreign Artiste – Terlalu Cinta (Rossa)
Best Musical Arrangement in a Song (Malay) – Cintamu (Nai Kong)
Best Musical Arrangement in a Song (non-Malay) – Last Breath (Hafiz Hamidun)
Song Of The Year – Izinku Pergi (Kaer Azami)
New Straits Times
Batik bold and beautiful
Fauziah Ahmad Daud (left) and Raja Azura.
The red carpet is all set to be rolled out this Sunday for the Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2007. DENNIS CHUA has details of the event regarded as among the most prestigious by local entertainers.
THE Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands is set to host the Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2007 (ABPBH 2007), an annual award show at which leading Bahasa Malaysia daily Berita Harian honours the nation’s most popular entertainers.
The 21st ABPBH will be carried “live†on Sunday at 9pm over TV3 and on official radio station Hot FM. Zany television personalities actors Fauziah “Ogy†Ahmad Daud and Raja Azura, will be emcees once again. Coincidentally, Ogy and Azura are in the running for Most Popular Female Television Host.
Batik Glam is the dress code this year, and viewers can expect the celebrities to walk down the red carpet dressed in innovative batik creations.
The suits and dresses will be the handiwork of both veterans and newbies in fashion design including Bill Keith, Jovian Mandagie, Khairy Sufi, Michael Shu, Rizman Ruzaimi and Kenny Loh.
Awards presenters will include Akademi Fantasia host AC Mizal, Afdlin Shauki, Awie, Datuk Yusni Hamid, Erra Fazira, Hans Isaac, Diana Danielle, Iqram Dinzly, Sharifah Aleya, Fauziah Latiff, Ning Baizura, Sharifah Shahira, Nora Danish, Nurul, Estranged, Rashidi Ishak, Noryn Aziz, Anne Ngasri and Rozita Che Wan.
The reigning Most Popular Male Artiste Asmawi “Mawi†Ani and his female counterpart Datuk Siti Nurhaliza will be among the performers on Sunday evening.
Joining them are rock king Amy Search, Anuar Zain, Raja Atilia, Awie, Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan, Ella, Fasha Sandha, Liza Hanim, Meet Uncle Hussain, Ramli Sarip, Julia Ziegler, Dynas Mokhtar, Hattan, Heliza Helmi, Fouziah Gous and Bob Usop. Popular actor Jalaluddin will present his first vocal performance before a live audience.
Akademi Fantasia 6 principal Ramli MS is the event’s music director, and will lead a 40-member team of musicians.
Artistes will also pay a musical tribute to the late songwriter and actor Rosli Khamis or Loloq, who died early this year after a long illness.
Mawi has won the Most Popular Artiste title for two consecutive years. Siti won the title six times, and has been the Most Popular Female Artiste since 1996.
At last year’s event, pop king Jamal Abdillah and Mawi shared the Popular Group/Duo award. Halim Othman and Linda Onn were the Popular Male and Female Radio Presenters respectively. Linda of Era. FM has never lost in her category (which was introduced in 2001).
Rabbani defended its five-year monopoly of the Popular Nasyid Group category, effectively shutting out long-time competitor Raihan, which clinched the title during its first two years — 1999 and 2000.
Top-notch actor Rosyam Nor won the Popular TV Actor award, which he first received in 2002, and king of comedy Saiful Azam Yusoff (or Saiful Apek) took home the Popular Film Actor category.
Former Akademi Fantasia host Aznil Nawawi and Melodi host Fara Fauzana bagged the Popular Male and Female TV Presenter awards, while Apek and Apa Apa Aje host Sheila Rusly took home the Popular Male and Female Comedian awards.
The Popular New Male Artiste was Faizal Ramly, and the Popular New Female Artiste was Farawahida. Fasha Sandha won the Popular TV Actress and Popular Film Actress awards.
The legends of screen and song honoured were director Datuk Jamil Sulong, “pop yeh yeh†master Jefrydin and veteran actress Datin Umi Kalthom. They received the Special Lifetime Achievement Award (Jamil) and Special Veteran Artiste Awards (Jefrydin and Umi Kalthom).
The most coveted award, Most Popular Artiste, will win the recipient this year a Peugeot 407 worth RM185,000, jewellery worth RM150,000, and electric goods from JVC.
The event’s main sponsors are Habib Jewels Sdn Bhd and Nasim Sdn Bhd. The other sponsors are JVC Sales and Services, the Palace of the Golden Horses and Mara Liner.
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Nominees for 2007
Popular TV Host (Male)
1. AC Mizal
2. Ally Iskandar
3. Aznil Nawawi
4. Azwan Ali
5. Wahid Mohamad
Popular TV Host (Female)
1. Cheryl Samad
2. Fara Fauzana
3. Fauziah Ahmad Daud
4. Raja Azura
5. Sharifah Shahira
Popular Radio Presenter (Male)
1. Aznil Nawawi (Era FM)
2. AC Mizal (Era FM)
3. Faizal Ismail (Hot FM)
4. Khairil Rashid (Sinar FM)
5. Kieran (Era FM)
Popular Radio Presenter (Female)
1. Abby Fana (Sinar FM)
2. Fara Fauzana (Hot FM)
3. Linda Onn (Era FM)
4. Nana Mahazan (Era FM)
5. Nila Kurnia (Sinar FM)
Popular Comedian (Male)
1. Afdlin Shauki
2. AC Mizal
3. Saiful Apek
4. Piee
5. Zul Yahya
Popular Comedian (Female)
1. Adibah Noor
2. Kenchana Devi
3. Raja Azura
4. Sharifah Shahira
5. Sheila Rusly
Popular New Artiste (Male)
1. Bard R1
2. Dafi Ismail
3. Diddy Muhid
4. Fiq Halim
5. Kaer Azami
Popular New Artiste (Female)
1. Farah Asyikin
2. Fouziah Ghous
3. Heliza Helmi
4. Julia Ziegler
5. Mila Jirin
Popular Nasyid Singer
1. Hijjaz
2. Inteam
3. Mirwana
4. Rabbani
5. Raihan
Popular Singer (Male)
1. Adam Mat Saman
2. Anuar Zain
3. Faizal Tahir
4. Mawi
5. Hazami
Popular Singer (Female)
1. Adibah Noor
2. Mila Jirin
3. Jaclyn Victor
4. Misha Omar
5. Datuk Siti Nurhaliza
Popular Group/Duo
1. Kristal
2. Jinbara
3. Misha Omar and Andy
4. Spider
5. Sofaz
Popular Film Actor
1. Afdlin Shauki
2. Pierre Andre
3. Rusdi Ramli
4. Rosyam Nor
5. Saiful Apek
Popular Film Actress
1. Erra Fazira
2. Fasha Sandha
3. Maya Karin
4. Sharifah Amani
5. Vanidah Imran
Popular TV Actor
1. Aaron Aziz
2. Arash Mohamad
3. Fahrin Ahmad
4. Rosyam Nor
5. Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan
Popular TV Actress
1. Dynaz Mokhtar
2. Eja
3. Fasha Sandha
4. Rita Rudaini
5. Rozita Che Wan
Word Has It…: Siti eyes beauty market
Siti Nurhaliza will soon launch her own makeup range.
IT looks like multiple award-winning singing sensation Datuk Siti Nurhaliza is reinventing herself and it entails more than just razzle-dazzle!
Dang has dismissed rumours about her and a rich businessman.
Amy hopes to embark on more charity projects in the future.
Her new venture will see her promoting beauty products using “halal†ingredients. The range will even bear her own name.
“Insya’allah, if everything works out, the makeup collection is slated for release sometime next year. I’m currently negotiating the business positioning of the product — the branding, the look and other aspects,†said Siti recently.
The products, she said, will contain skin-friendly natural ingredients with no chemical additives.
“For the moment, all I can say is the products will encourage women to be more adventurous. The ingredients, which include silky smooth minerals, will settle nicely on all types of skin and are suitable for women on the go,†she said.
The singer, who last appeared on RTM1’s musical variety show Zoom In … Bersama Datuk Siti Nurhaliza earlier this month, had no comment when asked if she was following in the footsteps of her good friend and singer Kris Dayanti.
She said she had always wanted to launch her own makeup range.
- IT’S never easy being a celebrity. Or having to live the ups and downs of your life in the public eye.
Since TV host/producer Dang Suria Zainurdin’s Wacana Wanita (a women’s magazine show over Awani which is Astro’s round-the-clock news channel) aired, she has longed for “space to breatheâ€.
Recently, a rumour linking her to a certain rich businessman started circulating.
It all began when a sensational online gossip portal posted a comment that Dang, 40, was married to the man. A weekend gossip column in a Malay newspaper also featured the story last Sunday.
When contacted, Dang dismissed the rumour. If it were true, she said, she would quit her job to stay at home and live the life of the rich and famous.
“Don’t you think it would be any woman’s dream to marry a rich man?,†she asked, laughing.
A quick check revealed that the TV personality in question is actually a former Astro broadcast journalist who quit her job after marrying a businessman.
“It’s ridiculous that the media has implicated me,†she said.
When asked if she was seeing anyone, Dang — who is usually very reluctant to discuss her personal life — replied, “I’m a contented single mother and happy with my life now.â€
However, when pressed, she laughed and said, “I wish to keep that information for myself. It’s very important to have my daughter Sarah’s blessing.â€
- THERE are perhaps not many singers like rock icon Amy Search.
After rocking the house at the recently concluded Sunburst KL International Music Festival last Saturday, the frontman of the country’s long-surviving rock outfit Search is still as busy as a bee.
Amy thrives on hard work. Ask him what he’s up to and he rattles off an endless list of activities involving stage and TV appearances, stage shows etc.
The latest we heard is Amy has been making trips to Johor to oversee a construction project he’s helming.
In case you’re wondering, the 40-something singer is in the midst of building a madrasah (religious school) for needy children to pursue religious education.
Located in Pekan Nenas, Amy has generously acquired a plot of land and is currently developing the site.
“It’s so gratifying for me. I hope to have similar projects in the future,†said Amy, who planned to perform the umrah for the second time before the middle of this year.