Stories of Life at Home is a Connections Through Culture 2023-24 project, by The Society for Equality, Respect and Trust for All - SERATA (Malaysia) and Junction 15 Productions (UK)
This pilot programme designed to give anyone with a story, a chance to have that story told through film and video. The initiative provided essential filmmaking skills to seven participants, resulting in three powerful stories unique to Sabah.
Watch the films
Iskul Sama DiLaut by Mohd Rahmat Bin Mosa
Set on Pulau Omadal, this story highlights the struggles of Bajau Laut children in accessing education and the broader challenges faced by their communities.
Sabung Labuk by Ersie Anjumin
A court reporter by day, and full-time mother and wife, this story highlights Ersie's passion for preserving her ethnic heritage through traditional clothing and passing down cultural traditions in a modernsing world.
Should I Stay by Prisca Magdalena
This story highlights the universal dilemma of choosing between staying in one's hometown or leaving in search of other opportunities, a shared dilemma many young people face.
Explore the partners' reflections from the project
Four days three nights filmmaking workshop
"A significant highlight of the project was our storytelling workshop in Tenghilan. Over the course of 4 days and 3 nights, 7 passionate storytellers joined us to dive into the art of storytelling and filmmaking. The immersive environment allowed participants to engage with hands-on experiences, learning how to handle professional cameras, conduct interviews, and grasp the basics of editing. Darren and Suzanne of Junction 15 Productions took almost a day’s worth of travel from the UK to get to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Junction 15 Productions were the main trainers for the workshop, sharing their valuable knowledge and expertise. Darren and Suzanne’s energy and enthusiasm set the tone for the days ahead. Despite the long journey, their dedication to the project was unwavering, and it motivated the entire team.
Another memorable moment came during one of the hands-on sessions, where participants got their first experience holding professional cameras. For many, it was their first time working with high-quality equipment, and the excitement in the room was palpable. This hands-on experience was invaluable, allowing the storytellers to see their ideas come to life through the lens. The storytellers that joined us came from very diverse backgrounds - teachers, media reporters and activists working in the non-profit sector. During the workshop we got to enlist the help of two local creatives from Kota Kinabalu: Chris Pereira, a sound engineer from Eyes & Ears Productions KK, and Harold Egn, a self-trained mixed-media artist and podcaster of The Sip-Sip Show. Their expertise helped guide the participants through the technical and creative aspects of filmmaking, making the learning process both dynamic and fun.
By the end of the workshop, the participants had developed a deeper understanding of how to craft compelling narratives, using their unique voices and experiences. But the real challenge came on the final day when each of them had to pitch their story ideas, with only a few storytellers being selected to take their projects further."
Read more about the Stories of Life at Home project.
About Connections Through Culture
The British Council's Connections Through Culture grants support new cultural collaborations between the UK and East Asia. This support assists artists and cultural organisations working across all art forms to create new connections and collaborative projects. Learn more about the Connections Through Culture programme.
