KUALA LUMPUR: With the objective of elevating the standard of local filmmaking, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) has recently announced the inaugural Malaysian Development Lab for Fiction Feature Films (mylab) which will take place between June and December 2022.
mylab is an incubator programme for Malaysian scriptwriters, directors, producers to work on developing scripts and film projects under lectures and the guidance of regional and international experts in scriptwriting, directing, producing, distribution, and markets/festivals.
Finas chief executive officer Prof Dr Md Nasir Ibrahim who launched mylab, encouraged aspiring talents to apply as this opportunity not only would expand their knowledge but also network in the international filmmaking community.
"As much as it is important to produce highly-skilled film practitioners in Malaysia, Finas is also deeply committed in getting more Malaysian content, that is market ready, out on the international stage," he said in a statement.
mylab is curated by Lorna Tee, a prolific producer and film festival veteran, and together with the team at Finas, they will conduct the programme with top-notch international partners and experts.
"Malaysia has many stories to tell the world and there are a lot of talented filmmakers, scriptwriters and producers to bring the stories to the big screen," added Tee.
The lab will be conducted via two online sessions, followed by a physical one-on-one session with selected mentors.
Projects must be at an early stage of development, with a team of scriptwriter, director and producer attached, and aimed for regional or international audiences.
mylab strives for each project to deliver a package of script, budget, financing plan, dossier and pitch-ready materials at the end of the programme.
Six to eight projects will be selected and the best project from the lab will stand a chance to receive a RM20,000.00 funding towards further development of the project.
Application to join mylab ends on April 20. The final list of participants will be announced next month.
For more details and to apply, email mylab@finas.my