THE National Film Development Corporation (Finas) is marking National Day and Malaysia Day with several firsts.
Its chief executive officer, Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, said for the first time, the National Day and Malaysia Day public service announcements will be shot in the new virtual production studio with Atmos Dolby.
For the Merdeka Parade in Putrajaya on Aug 31, Azmir said Finas was tasked with coordinating the creative industry segment.
"A TV station will showcase two films featuring artistes who will march in the parade. 'Upin & Ipin' characters will march with them too."
On Finas' National Day resolutions and plans, Azmir said he hoped for "true Merdeka" for filmmakers.
"True Merdeka for filmmakers is when they rely less on our funds for support.
"This is important for the industry to enter the next level of growth.
"The industry should now have a robust ecosystem of support."
He said there should be more private and public investors in film projects.
"There have been breakthrough projects, such as 'Mat Kilau' and 'Sheriff', in recent years. This shows that high-quality films can make a lot of money for investors."
GROWING THE INDUSTRY
Azmir said Finas' main achievements in the last 20 years include growing the creative industry and uplifting the wellbeing of people in the industry.
Finas' achievements include the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI) introduced in 2013, the investment of RM2.3 billion in filmmaking, and the filming of more than 180 projects and big titles in the country, including 'Crazy Rich Asians'.
"Our documentary makers are among the best in Asean. In 2013, we had co-productions with international television channels such as Discovery Channel, History Channel, and NatGeo."
He said the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy's film faculty is also a Finas success story as it began as the Finas Academy.
"Our academy trained many stars, such as Bront Palarae, and director Osman Ali.
"We professionalised talents and film crews through the Standard Contract Programme this year. We also made sure that talents and crew members have insurance and Socso coverage."
BOX OFFICE
Azmir said Malaysia's box office collection for local and foreign films was in the world's top 20.
He said Malaysians are now more accepting of local movies.
"Finas has worked on improving awareness, as well as audience literacy and engagement over the years.
"With social media, Malaysian films can be marketed to viewers more efficiently, translating into better box office collections."
He added that more filmmakers were choosing to film in Malaysia.
"Finas is encouraging filming in Malaysia and making documentaries about Malaysia. This is not only for tourism but because we have a lot of untold stories.
"We and Tourism Malaysia have been promoting filming in the country for 10 years.
"With incentives like FIMI many foreign producers have chosen to film in Malaysia."
Azmir said as online videos and video games were becoming major forms of visual entertainment, Finas would introduce intellectual property (IP) monetisation to promote these mediums.
"We want content creators or filmmakers to own great IPs that can be turned into film or TV projects and venture into merchandising, games, applications, and comics.
"Syafiq Yusof has produced and directed a movie about the game Mobile Legends."
FORGOTTEN LEGENDS
Finas aims to promote "golden sons and daughters" of the silver screen apart from Tan Sri P. Ramlee, as some legends seem to have been neglected and forgotten.
"Finas is going to promote them to modern viewers.
"Film appreciation roadshows at universities in Malaysia can be a platform to highlight these legends and to allow industry veterans to engage with young Malaysians.
"As podcasts become more popular, Finas is encouraging podcasters to invite industry veterans to share their knowledge and stories with young Malaysians."
Finas wants to encourage more non-Malays to participate in the Malay entertainment sector.
Azmir said: "Since the 2000s, Malaysian cinema and dramas have become more multiracial. The non-Malay cast in Malay films and dramas is growing.
"Malay actors and actresses have also appeared in Tamil, Chinese, and even Kadazan-Dusun films and dramas.
"Finas is supportive of cross-cultural exchange. Promoting unity via films is our goal.
"Films with a multiracial cast have had huge success, such as 'Ola Bola' and 'Sheriff'."