THE development of quality scripts is always taken seriously by the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas), and the government body is going all out to ensure that only filmmakers who take their projects seriously can successfully apply for grants.
For this purpose, Finas has been tasked by the Communications Ministry with managing the new Creative Content Fund (DKK) which will be announced by the ministry soon.
This fund will see the participation of various broadcasting and production companies such as Media Prima Berhad (MPB), Astro Shaw, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), Lotus 5 Star, MM2 Entertainment, Skop Productions Sdn Bhd and Multimedia Film Production Sdn Bhd.
Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib recently chaired a meeting with broadcasters and content providers to manage the fund at Finas' office in Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya.
Azmir said that before the fund was announced by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Finas planned to have discussions with stakeholders about how it should be effectively managed.
"We want to get all the necessary feedback from major production houses in the film industry. This is why we have roped in MPB and Astro on board as they have a good track record of investing in quality films," said Azmir.
Azmir said that Finas believed in having discussions with the private sector because they were "more in the know" of what filmmakers and viewers wanted.
"It is always good to get their opinions because they are the key players of the creative industry and have their fingers on its pulse," he said.
Azmir said that Finas had discussed with the companies the need for representatives from investors and stakeholders in the script screening process to assess potential returns that could be derived from quality scripts.
"When it comes to developing good ideas for scripts, some of them suggested that there should be a panel of distributors' representatives to help Finas understand the commercial value of scripts.
"For example, people from cinemas or their distributors can see if a script meets the needs of the target audience or otherwise.
"Such people know the statistics and can help evaluate whether a script can sell or otherwise.
Azmir said if a film was not good enough, then they would not use its funds to finance it.
Azmir added that films of public interest and with nation-building themes, and films of commercial value were different.
The latter, he said, was geared toward the box office while the former was aimed at instilling civic consciousness, good citizenship, unity, and patriotism amongst Malaysians.
"Both types of films are important. Those which are aimed at nation-building deserve funding, as they contain positive messages for Malaysians.
"As for box office films, they are entirely market-driven and the producers know what the viewers want."
Azmir said that all of the investors he had met with agreed to meet with Finas more often, to discuss film ideas and scripts, so that the right films obtained the funds to enable them to "take off".
"All of us want to make sure that only films that viewers truly appreciate get to be screened, instead of films that hardly attract anyone.
"In other words, if a film idea is solid, it should enter the production stage. If it is not, then it remains just an idea," said Azmir.
Azmir advised all producers to seek feedback from their distributors before coming up with a new film.
"The distributors are the ones who know the film statistics. They are the ones who know the consumers best, so it is best for the producers to always be in contact with them."
Azmir said that Finas also planned to boost cooperation between Malaysian and foreign film and television companies, in line with their mission to "bring Malaysian productions beyond boundaries".