KUALA LUMPUR – The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) is studying several suggestions to improve the Compulsory Screening Scheme to boost the quality of local film productions.
Its chief executive officer, Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, said the suggestions included injecting funds into script development and marketing plans.
“For us to invest in a production, the first point is the script. So, we will promote the incentive for script development soon.
“On marketing, we will work with various parties, including television stations and private companies, on their role in promoting local films,” he said after the Cereka Film Screening Incentive 2.0 (ITCF 2.0) presentation here yesterday.
Finas will also work together with cinemas to develop the local film scene to attract viewers to cinemas and assist local industry players in competing with the foreign market.
“We will fine-tune in terms of the schedule of compulsory screenings on how cinemas can choose several locations to screen films that have their respective fans and not for commercial purposes,” he said.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil had previously asked Finas to study improvements to the Compulsory Screening Scheme and said that the existing scheme had several weaknesses that allowed some parties to take advantage by completing their films just to fulfil requirements.
Meanwhile, Azmir said during his speech that Finas would announce several strategies to help local works gain a wider market through various regional cooperation in production, which would spur job opportunities in the national creative industry.
He also presented incentives worth over RM1.3 million to 20 films registered under the Compulsory Screening Scheme under 19 production companies.
ITFC 2.0 is the Communications Ministry’s initiative through Finas to spur the production of quality, high-impact, and culturally rich local films. – February 16, 2024