KUALA LUMPUR: Digital arts festival KLoud Fest which runs on March 19 and 20 will celebrate creativity via a curated programme of original film, music and comedy experiences that audiences can stream online.
The inaugural two-day festival by non-profit organisation DiverseCity and local theatrical company Liver & Lung, aims to entertain and support local artistes by creating a more vibrant arts sector in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
DiverseCity founder, Datin Seri Sunita Rajakumar, said: "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," she said.
Liver & Lung co-founder, Shafeeq Shajahan, added: "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 theatre company's other co-founder, Hannah Shields, said that, "KLoud Fest has heaps of potential and this is only the beginning."
"In many ways, it is a great equaliser, bringing artistes 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," she added.
KLoud Fest will feature Southeast Asia's first TikTok Musical, titled Nasi Lemak.
The original musical will showcase rising local TikTok stars and a whole host of original songs, viral dance moves and hilarious scenes that explores the magic behind the nation's beloved dish.
Other highlights include Dance Revolution: A Virtual Party produced by local DJ JonnyVicious and Happy Hour: A Virtual Comedy Variety Show featuring rising comedy star, Hannan Azlan.
Badrish & The Beatles: A Music Film will explore one boy's relationship with the legendary band and Eye On The Ball is a documentary following Malaysia's national para-football team and its journey to the Asean Para Games.
KLoud Fest will also be delivering a series of enriching masterclasses, hosted by Malaysian actress Putrina Rafie.
The series will highlight seasoned professionals sharing their craft, including actress Jo Kukathas, photographer Daniel Adams and makeup artist Hammada Bamadhaj.
Tickets are RM15 to catch one show or RM75 to watch all shows for 48 hours after screening.
For details and tickets, visit www.kloudfest.com. For the latest updates, follow Liver & Lung and KLDiverseCity on Instagram.