WOMEN: girls calling for stories

A CALL FOR MALAYSIAN

WOMEN STORIES

“Unspoken Truths” 

Each woman has a story to tell, hear the soul and spirit of her words. WOMEN:girls; a platform aimed at inspiring and empowering Malaysian women, is calling for submissions of stories for Ikal Mayang 2014 which will be developed into a two minute short film. This initiative is to raise the share of women’s voice by telling women’s stories.

The set theme “Unspoken Truths: Biar Pecah Di Perut, Jangan Pecah Di Mulut” explores taboo issues which often happen in our lives, though that cat is never let out of the bag. It is giving Malaysian women a voice to do so. Women or girls, from the ages of 14 and above may send in their submissions within the month of August (1^st of August to the 31^st of August 2013).

In 2013, Garang Pictures and Big Eyes Entertainment produced Ikal Mayang under the umbrella of WOMEN:girls - 15 short films by 15 non-traditional female directors such as Susan Lankester, Nanu Baharudin, Carmen Soo, Dira Abu Zahar, Elaine Daly, Sofia Jane, Vanidah Imran, Fauziah Nawi, Shamaine Othman, Aida Fitri, Sharifah Amani, Junad M. Nor, Mislina Mustaffa, Melissa Saila and Ida Nerina. These short films were privately screened on March 8th, International Women's Day 2013.

“I personally hope to see many submissions come in from the public; this is a wonderful chance for Malaysian women; my sisters, to share their thoughts and experiences,” shares Ida Nerina; the Creative Director of Ikal Mayang Project. “We are looking for the unspoken truths, and if need be, we will guide them in developing their ideas into a script with hope of turning it into a visual masterpiece”.  

“Empowering women to speak up is an urgent priority. It is really to make us (women) more understood and not stereotyped. It’s time that we are taken seriously.” Adds Low Ngai Yuen; Chairman of Women:girls. “Starting from the easiest form of speaking up, once again, we are promoting storytelling – the most personal yet accessible form of speaking up. Not to mention a compelling way to increase women’s share of voice”.

This year; Ikal Mayang would like to reach out to the public, women who want to have their stories told by taking this opportunity to express their idea on film. The Ikal Mayang 2014 project is currently in early pre-production and production for selected stories will commence from September till December 2013.

The short films are scheduled to be released on the 8^th of March, 2014 in conjunction with International Women’s Day; the two minuters will be launched alongside 6 other short films with the same theme from 6 different countries. The venue will be confirmed at a later date.

  

This project is open to all Malaysian women citizens only. The story submissions may be in English or Malay, but the final feature may be presented in any Malaysian language. The compelling story will be developed into a two minute short film. Download the submission forms may be from the www.womengirls.org. For enquiries please email: ikalmayang@womengirls.org.

WOMEN:girls, Ikal Mayang Project call to all Malaysian women to submit their stories themed “Unspoken Truths: Biar Pecah Di Perut, Jangan Pecah Di Mulut”, from the 1st to the 31st of August. If selected, the story will be developed into a two minute short film and will be released on the 8th of March 2014 in conjunction with International Women’s Day.