Description:
For entertainment guru and founder of Malaysia International Film Festival, Joanne Goh Poi Leng grew up attracted to the glitz and glamor of the entertainment world, just like any ordinary young girl. Although she had no connections to help forge her path, she held on to this dream with a fierce passion. Then, as she grew up, she put all her focus and strength into making her first success, and first pot of gold, through her premium gifts business. However, this did not quench her thirst. She went on to delve into the entertainment industry, holding and organizing concerts for international artistes from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, both in and outside of Malaysia. With that, Jazzy Group was born, and became one of the leaders in the Malaysian entertainment industry. To date in 2020, the company has successfully organized over a hundred concerts, collecting over USD 100 million in revenue.
In 2016, Joanne met with Wen Tien-Hsiang, the CEO of Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival Executive Committee, and was deeply affected by his words. Following that conversation, Joanne gave herself the responsibility of bringing the Malaysian film industry to the next level. In 2017, she successfully organized the first edition of Malaysia International Film Fest (MIFFest) and Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA). This helped put the Malaysian film industry on the map and raised the awareness of local audiences to quality films from around the world.
Since then, she has gone on to organize two more editions of MIFFest and MGGA and has even worked together with other filmmakers to produce and distribute great films in the country. All this was possible because Joanne had always understood that there was more value to films than mere entertainment. Towards the end of 2017, she established Jazzy Pictures, which has since taken part in distributing four Hong Kong films, including John Woo’s Manhunt; and co-produced three local and international films, including One Two Jaga, Fly by Night, and Nina Wu. These three films have garnered local and international recognition and awards, and Nina Wu even received its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. All these achievements show that Jazzy Pictures has successfully made waves in the international film scene.
Joanne hopes to share her deep passion for life and career through this novel-like autobiography. She hopes to inspire a whole new generation of hardworking young people to seize the opportunities that come their way and create wonderful and meaningful lives ahead.
Contents:
Foreword 01 - Mr. Kim Dong-ho
Foreword 02 - Mr. Brillante Mendoza
Foreword 03 - Ms. Cecilia Yip
Foreword 04 - Ms. Tavia Yeung
Foreword 05 - Mr. Hoe Chin Wei
Foreword 06 - Ms. Elaine Ying Ying Ly
Foreword 07 - Ms. Charmain Liew
Preface
Chapter 1 - A Kind Word from Her
Chapter 2 - Dad vs. My Dreams of Becoming a Star
Chapter 3 - The Beginnings of My Entrepreneurial Journey
Chapter 4 - My First Company at 23
Chapter 5 - Stepping into the Entertainment Industry
Chapter 6 - A Chance Encounter with Wen Tien-Hsiang
Chapter 7 - The Birth of MIFFest and MGGA
Chapter 8 - The Malaysia International Film Festival Suffers Its First Blow
Chapter 9 - MIFFest and MGGA is Official
Chapter 10 - The Search for Our Ambassador
Chapter 11 - The Campaign Never Stops
Chapter 12 - Meeting the “Tiger” of Busan Mr. Kim Dong-ho
Chapter 13 - Sinje Lee is our MIFFest Ambassador
Chapter 14 - The Fates of Films at Film Festival
Chapter 15 - Behind the Selection of MGGA Winners
Chapter 16 - The MIFFest and MGGA Journey
Chapter 17 - “Falling” into the Film Industry
Chapter 18 - A Pioneer’s Film Career
Story by: Joanne Goh
Joanne started her career in entertainment industry since 1997, she has managed over a hundred concerts and showcases - with a combined revenue of almost a hundred million USD in ticket sales. In more recent times, she has taken up new challenges in the film industry, and has since worked on many local and international films as an executive producer or a producer. Her passion for entertainment and film hasn't stopped, however, and in 2016 she founded the Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) and the Malaysian Golden Global Awards (MGGA).
Author: Lim Yi Chiann
I have been in the writing world for more than twenty years, as an editor, reporter, and even a freelance writer, covering a wide range of content. However, this is the first time I have written an autobiography. I am extremely grateful to Joanne Goh for her trust in me. I hope that through the simple and accessible words in this book, I am able to portray Joanne's wonderful life story and experiences.
