Vinoun Films’ children’s book features Kudat

Vinoun Films, a Sabah-based film production company, has created an educational colouring guidebook called Adventures of Kondiu and Odu for Rajawali Homes in Kota Marudu. The book features many attractions and fun activities in the Kudat Division area and is given to children staying at the hotel with their families.

Vinoun Films also added two main bird characters dressed in traditional Kadazandusun garb throughout the book – Kondiu, which means eagle in the Kadazandusun language, and Odu (grandmother).

Recently, Rachel Ongkili, the co-founder of Vinoun Films, met with Sabah Tourism Board chairperson Datuk Joniston Bangkuai to present their Adventures of Kondiu and Odu book and explore future partnership opportunities with Sabah Tourism.

Rachel explained that the book is a hotel offering designed to enrich the stays of families exploring Sabah’s northern regions, referring to places of interest along the way from Kota Belud to Kudat through games and illustrations.

“We want to approach other hotels to see if they want to bring such activity books into their premises because we have plans to expand to West Coast Division, Interior Division, and East Coast Division.

“We are also considering producing children’s animation and putting it out to the world or in the gaming industry. This is how we hope to spread awareness of our indigenous language and culture,” said Rachel.

Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai praised Vinoun Films’ creative works, highlighting the potential for showcasing Sabah’s culture through animation and books to bring about positive changes for the local community and help to preserve and promote Sabah’s cultural identity.

“I see that the production of animation movies and books has the potential to stimulate economic growth in Sabah since it creates jobs, encourages tourism, and promotes local businesses.

“These productions can help to raise awareness and educate people about Sabah culture and its unique features. This can be particularly important for children who may not have had the opportunity to learn about their cultural heritage,” said Joniston.

He also expressed hope for the development of animated characters representing all of Sabah’s ethnic groups, saying that Sabah Tourism is eager to work with anyone who can help raise the state’s profile through educational and cultural tourism.