Patron of the Arts, DiverseCity, Joins Award-Winning Malaysian-British Production Company, Liver & Lung, To Present Malaysia’s First Digital Arts Festival
Established non-profit organization DiverseCity announced its inaugural digital arts festival, KLoud Fest, in partnership with local award-winning theatrical company, Liver & Lung. The festival runs from March 19 to 20 and celebrates creativity through a curated programme of original film, music and comedy experiences, available for audiences to stream via a brand new virtual space.
COVID-19 has affected creative industries, unprecedentedly, as many theatres, cinemas, galleries and music venues remain closed. KLoud Fest aims to keep Malaysia—and the world—entertained as well as supporting local artists to create a more vibrant and ambitious arts sector in the face of a global pandemic.
“An investment into the creative economy is an essential component of nation-building. We were delighted that MyCreative Ventures and Penjana stepped up to meet this need to support our talented cultural community, despite the challenging times and new normal. As arts practitioners, we are adaptable to change but we cannot easily pivot away to other jobs, we need to and should be encouraged to continue rehearsing, training, creating and being imaginative. We hope the government will continue supporting this essential component of our human capital by providing opportunities for this ecosystem to contribute towards the development of our collective well-being,” said the founder of DiverseCity, Datin Seri Sunita Rajakumar.
“Challenging times call for innovative measures: the show must go on!” added Liver & Lung Co-Founder, Shafeeq Shajahan. “As COVID-19 disproportionately impacts our community, it became obvious that, as creative leaders, we needed to innovate technologically and curate artistic experiences that are digital-first—yet still deliver on quality and are uncompromisingly entertaining. Liver & Lung has always been determined to push boundaries and provide engaging and culturally relevant content that resonates with our audiences. We are confident that KLoud Fest embraces the essence of Malaysian arts, culture and entertainment. The aim is to put Malaysia on the map as a beacon of artistic excellence,” said Shafeeq.
Co-founder of Liver & Lung, Hannah Shields further added, “KLoud Fest has heaps of potential—and this is only the beginning. In many ways, it is a great equaliser, bringing artists and audiences together and providing emerging local talent with a platform to showcase their work to the world. Liver & Lung is a company with Malaysian-British roots and we’re delighted to air our productions in both regions simultaneously, and offer Malaysians and international audiences the opportunity to experience live performances in an affordable and sustainable manner, from the comfort of their homes.”
A diverse programme of music, film and comedy
KLoud Fest 2021 is impressively set to produce some regional firsts, including South East Asia’s first TikTok Musical fittingly titled ‘Nasi Lemak’—paying homage to our national dish. The original musical debut features rising local TikTok stars and a whole host of original songs, viral dance moves and hilarious scenes that explore the magic behind the nation’s favourite dish.
Other highlights include ‘Dance Revolution: A Virtual Party’ produced by local DJ JonnyVicious, ‘Happy Hour: A Virtual Comedy Variety Show’ featuring rising comedy star Hannan Azlan, ‘Badrish & The Beatles: A Music Film’ exploring one boy’s relationship with the legendary band and ‘Eye On The Ball’—a documentary following Malaysia’s national para-football team and their journey to the ASEAN Para Games.
If that’s not enough, KLoud Fest will also be delivering a series of enriching masterclasses, hosted by Malaysian actress Putrina Rafie, that help answer the questions we all want to know: How can I be funny? How do I dance like a pro? How can I take a bomb photo? The masterclasses feature seasoned professionals sharing their craft, including actress Jo Kukathas, photographer Daniel Adams and makeup artist Hammada Bamadhaj.
From appreciating and recognizing local arts and culture in Malaysia to now propelling the creative industry forward in the new normal, KLoud Fest invites the creative community and supporters of the arts alike, to join and experience this innovative and vibrant unstoppable weekend with our multi-talented artists and entertainment practitioners.
Tickets are now available on KLoud Fest’s official website starting from just RM15 for this livestream special. A festival pass is available for RM75, granting access to all programmes over the two-days, for the whole family to enjoy.
Tickets can be bought here: www.kloudfest.com
For updates and the latest news from KLoud Fest, visit Liver & Lung & KLDiverseCity on Instagram.
