KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM160 million has been allocated to the development of the creative industry for next year.
In his speech for the tabling of the Third Madani Budget (Year 2025) presented at Dewan Rakyat earlier this afternoon, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the government is committed in its support for the creative industry and therefore, the allocated amount for next year.
"For the Digital Content Fund (DKD) the quantum will be increased to RM65 million, especially for filmmakers to promote films with nationalistic values.
"Almost RM40 million will be allocated under the Film In Malaysia Incentive (Fimi), which is to support the production of international film in Malaysia," he said.
Anwar added: "For MyCreative Ventures a total of RM25 million will be allocated as a support for the industry via equity injection to high potential companies as well as providing financing for social creative entrepreneurs."
In order to encourage young people to get involved industry, a special programme called Program Belia Kreatif Madani (Madani Creative Youth Programme) will be launched, with a target of attracting 16,000 young people.
"A total of RM30 million will be allocated for the programme which will workshops on videography, film community development, as well as short film competitions," he said.
THUMBS UP
Meanwhile, filmmakers and arts practitioners have given Budget 2025 the thumbs up, and hope that the government will continue to assist the growth of the nation's creative industry.
KRU Entertainment chief executive officer Datuk Norman Abdul Halim described the budget as "decent" and said that the continuation of Fimi and DKD showed that the government was serious about continuously assisting the growth of the Malaysian film industry.
Norman said: "The RM25 million for MyCreative Ventures is a good move. It is an equity investment instead of a loan or grant, something which was lacking in the past.
"It is the first time we are hearing about such an investment, and it is a great move towards stronger equity participation in the nation's creative industry."
Skop Productions founder Datuk Yusof Haslam thanked Anwar and the government for their continued support of the creative industry, by providing incentives such as Fimi and the DKD.
"Budget 2025 is a move in the right direction, a continuation of previous government efforts to keep our creative industry growing.
"I'm optimistic that the new allocations will help local filmmakers, especially the new ones, come up with high quality products that will take the industry higher," he said.
Yusof urged all filmmakers to make full use of the government's incentives and focus on coming up with films that were world class, as well as to think out of the box.
"We have to push ourselves harder, so that we will complement the government's efforts to boost the creative industry."
FOCUS
Persatuan Seniman Malaysia president Zed Zaidi said the workshop is great to bring up the filmmakers of the future in universities and colleges.
"It is a practical way to help established filmmakers find the new generation of filmmakers and keep the industry growing," he said.
He also said that Fimi which focuses on international films will help boost the film industry as well as the tourism industry which is a major income earner of the country.
"The allocation to Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka will help Malaysians of all races come up with high quality scripts and literature in the national language, and this will result in a greater appreciation of Malay language films as well as novels."
DESERVING
Veteran actress and director Datuk Fauziah Nawi welcomed the new budget as it showed the government's commitment to developing the creative industry.
She hoped that all arts practitioners would make full use of the government's allocations and that the truly talented and deserving ones will benefit from it.
Film Directors' Association of Malaysia (FDAM) chairman Datuk Afdlin Shauki said that Program Belia Kreatif Madani would empower aspiring filmmakers and further develop the creative industry.
"This programme is a golden opportunity for youths to develop their skills in filmmaking," he said.
REALLOCATION
While agreeing that the overall move is positive, especially for the younger generation of creative industry players, Infinitus Entertainment's executive producer Gayatri Su-lin Pillai was a little taken aback with the amount allocated for Fimi.
"The total amount hasn't changed, but there has been a reallocation of funds.
"While it is a positive move for the new generation of filmmakers and smaller production companies, especially if we want to see them bringing in the new perspective in locally made productions, it is a little worrying to see a decrease allocation for Fimi," she said.
"Filmmakers have been tapping into this allocation in order to increase the value of our productions, but with less amount for next year, it is a bit shocking," she said.
FAIRNESS
Guam Teamwork's CEO Datuk Muhammad Firdaus Nadxaman also wondered about the amount allocated for Fimi.
"There are hundreds of production houses here. So how will it be divided and what is the mechanism?
"I just hope that Finas will be more transparent in giving out the grant," said Firdaus who also hoped that the government would give a clear guide on how a production house could secure the grant.
"Through my past observations, it's usually the same companies that have been getting the grant.
"And some of them are content that are not even up to the mark," he lamented.
INSUFFICIENT
Performing arts lecturer Dr Joseph Gonzales felt that the RM25 million allocated to MyCreative Ventures was insufficient to support private theatre, dance and musical theatre companies.
"While the new budget has been good to the film industry, it's not comprehensive enough.
"If there's a greater emphasis on theatre and dance, it can help us show what Malaysia can offer to the world," he said.
SURGE
Meanwhile, Amirul Haswendy Ashari from Persatuan Seni & Budaya Redholah (The Redholah) said it is definitely good news for young people who are interested in the field.
"Lately, there seems to be a surge of young people who are inclined towards content creation, especially in social and new media."
However, he cautioned: "But what's next? There are still many unsolved issues which have been plaguing the creative industry such as royalty payments, marketability, copyrights, and the welfare of many creative practitioners.
ENVIRONMENT
"If the government is serious in making the industry attractive to young people, the relevant authorities must first ensure a conducive environment in the industry.
"Otherwise, the vicious circle will just continue to plague these new players in the future.
"Having said that, as a theatre practitioner, whatever allocations announced earlier this afternoon, its distribution must be fair to all who are deserving, without any hanky panky deals involving cronyism and corruption like before," he said.