The Kuala Lumpur Eco Film Fest (KLEFF) celebrated its 16th year with a variety of films, workshops, green bazaar, and vibrant performances. Organised by Ecoknights, the festival was held from 24 to 27 October 2024, at Semua House, KL. KLEFF 2024 continues its mission to advocate for environmental awareness and sustainable living through impactful storytelling whilst revolving around the theme “Water: Sustainably Yours”.
KLEFF 2024 started off with a ceremonial award, in which KLEFF’s main partner from Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN), Tuan Ts. Mohd Fazil bin Ismail, Director of Corporate Communications & Consumer Affairs Unit of SPAN, attended along with representatives from Semua House, KLEFF’ s venue partner.
- Special Water Sustainability Film Award & Best Long Documentary/Feature Film Award: Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey by Ruan Magan, which explores humanity’s profound relationship with water.
- Best Short Documentary Award: Adidas Owns the Reality, revealing environmental malpractices within the corporate world.
- Best Short Film Award: Further and Further Away, a reflection on displacement and nature.
- Best Animation Award: All We Have Left, a captivating story following a young girl’s wish to seek the truth of the outside world after being sheltered from it all her life.
- Best ASEAN Story Award & Special Jury Award: Fire Beneath Her, showcasing the exacerbated effects of climate change on the occurrence of forest fires.
- Special Jury Award: Wang Kelian – The Forgotten Valley, shining a light on hidden natural treasures teeming with life, and how to preserve them.
A total of 46 films were screened during the festival. and four of the films were Malaysian. Alongside some of the films were intimate sharing sessions with the filmmakers from different countries.
Meanwhile, the festival offered a series of hands-on workshops such as:
- Upcycle Denim Bookmark by Noble Lofty
- Upcycle Clutch by Ekha Langkawi
- Silk Screen Printing by Sukka Project
- Mini Terrarium by Binturong Alam
- Upcycling Microplastics into Accessories by Bungkus
- Plaster of Paris Miniature Workshop by Nini Lukis
- Mosaic Magic: Drawing with Nature by Aatish Artworks
Each workshop provided attendees with the knowledge to repurpose everyday materials, reducing waste and encouraging sustainable habits while having creative fun.
Another element of KLEFF was the GoodBuy! Bazaar, which featured local food businesses and organisations showcasing their green eco-products.
The Green Vibes music segment brought together local artists with performances by Reborn Percussion Tribe, saxophonist Zaxosound, busker Aleeya Faudzi, Markiza, Shawn Sapeboy, a silat showcase by JK Performance Studio, and mashups by Pavetran & Sarvieen Raw. These artists set an upbeat tone and created a lively atmosphere during the festival.