Friday, 2 August, 2024 - The Brunei Content Festival (BCF) 2024 Screening and Exhibition was officiated by Haji Jailani bin Haji Buntar, Chief Executive, Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry Brunei Darussalam (AITI) as the Guest of Honour, this afternoon at The Mall Atrium, Gadong.

The event was attended by AITI’s senior officials, government representatives, broadcasting industry representatives and members of institute of higher learnings (IHLs).

In her welcoming remarks, Siti Zaraura binti Haji Mohammad, Acting Assistant Chief Executive of the Industry Development Group, emphasised the event’s objective to promote and encourage the production of high-quality content by local content creators and production companies.

The three-day event, which will run from Friday, 2 August 2024 to Sunday, 4 August 2024, welcomes the public to enjoy special screenings of BCF 2024 Award submissions across various categories: Best Feature Film; Best Short Film; Best Advertisement; Best Public Service Announcement; Best Music Video; Best Drama; Best Horror; Best Comedy; Best Documentary; and Best Short Film under IHLs.

The opening day featured presentations from Community Development Department (JAPEM) of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Radio Television Brunei (RTB); Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF); and Mahakarya Institute of the Arts Asia.

Upcoming presentations and panel discussions will include contributions from the Censorship of Films and Public Entertainment Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs; Brunei Intellectual Property Office; National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) Malaysia; Paperplane Media; and Marhain Entertainment.

Meanwhile, the exhibition showcases IHLs and production companies, including Kolej International Graduate Studies (KIGS); Mahakarya Institute of the Arts and Cosmopolitan College; Oddbox Media & Communications Sdn Bhd; Paperplane Media; Marhain Entertainment; and Anak Melayu Tempatan to promote their content, services and skills.

Leading up to the Brunei Content Festival Awards 2024 on 6 August 2024, the event aims to recognise and award local content creators for their creativity, encouraging them to produce high-quality content with commercial potential for distribution and marketing on digital media platforms like OTT, both locally and internationally.

The BCF 2024 competition was opened to the public, including registered production companies and local content creators, from April 1, 2024, until May 14, 2024. A total of 104 entries were received, of which only 71 entries met the competition's eligibility and criteria.

The categories contested this year include ten (10) main categories, which are:

1. 1. Best Drama
   2. Best Comedy
   3. Best Horror
   4. Best Advertisement
   5. Best Documentary
   6. Best Public Service Announcement
   7. Best Music Video
   8. Best Feature Film
   9. Best Short Film
   10. Best Short Film under Higher Education Institutions with sub-categories:
       a. Best Fiction
       b. Best Animation

Three (3) participants has been nominated and won three (3) Jury Awards as follows:

(i) Best Male Performer
(ii) Best Female Performer
(iii) Best Cinematography

All contested entries were judged by a panel of jurors consisting of local and international industry experts, educators from higher education institutions, and representatives from government agencies. Entries were evaluated according to the criteria set, including technical aspects, creativity, and innovation.

Winners of the main categories received a trophy, a certificate of appreciation, and a cash prize of two thousand Brunei dollars (B$2,000.00), while the winners of the Jury Awards received a trophy, a certificate of appreciation, and a cash prize of five hundred Brunei dollars (B$500.00).