Sabah’s Veveonah now a rising film star

KOTA KINABALU: Four years ago, university student Veveonah Mosibin made headlines for her “treetop Internet” YouTube video, receiving both backlash as well as praise for highlighting the connectivity problem faced by many Sabahans.

The 22-year-old Marine Science student is in the limelight again but for a much happier reason.

She is starring in several locally produced movies expected to air in cinemas either by the end of this year or early 2025.

“The movie I am currently in is titled Terjebak. This is an engaging action film with thrilling fight scenes and a humanitarian message,” Veveonah said when contacted.She said the film features local talent from Sabah and was filmed in Keningau and Tambunan, where actors use Sabahan Malay to converse. She plays the supporting role of a fighter and bodyguard named Lulu.

“This movie aims to inspire the younger generation to steer clear of crime.

“Throughout its 90-minute run time, viewers would get to watch how the characters bring redemption and familial love into the story,” she said.

Asked how she got involved in acting, Veveonah said it all started when she was approached by Trespar Pita, one of the actors under ONTV production Sdn Bhd.

“Initially, I collaborated with film director Jade Morris and photography director Greg Giting Sobondok for a special shoot commemorating Malaysia Day in July 2023, a public service announcement (PSA) titled Kami Anak Malaysia, for RTM Sabah.

“Subsequently, Jade invited me to participate in this horror film Swang, which we filmed in December 2023. Following that, she offered me the role of Lulu in Terjebak,” she added.

Veveonah said it was a bit awkward for her at first but she quickly learnt the craft and got the hang of acting, immersing herself in characters she played.“Here (in Swang) I play Lenny, one of the main characters. This is a story set in a remote village surrounded by forests,” she said.

It tells of a group of teenagers –Kulat, Black, Dina, and Lenny – who were dared to spend a night in a mysterious house believed to be haunted by evil spirits and to find out its secrets, said Veveonah.

“The shooting is over. We are in the process of editing and clearing other technical matters,” she added.Amid her shooting schedule, she still juggles school, although she managed to get the directors and producers to do the filming while she was on a semester break.

“For now until July, I’m interning at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. I’ll finish my degree in Marine Science in July and I am expected to graduate in December,” she said.

While people still brand her the “treetop girl”, Veveonah has since put her treetop video days behind her.