LANGKAWI: The Langkawi District Office is working to promote the island's attractive destinations as a mandatory filming location for international film and drama producers.
Langkawi District Officer Datuk Abdul Gafar Yahya said all the attractive destinations to be promoted through the cooperation of various local government and private agencies, in addition to non-governmental organisations (NGO).
"This initiative (filming in Langkawi) gives free advertising for island at an international level, especially some European countries.
"It's just that the producer needs to get the approval of the Central Agency for Filming and Performances of Foreign Artists (PUSPAL)," he told reporters after inspecting the preparations for the European Survivor 2 reality television program at De Baron Resort here today.
Present was Langkawi Tourism Information Center manager, Mohd Fahmi Nordin.
Abdul Gafar said, filming aktivities also helps to create economic spillover and employment opportunities for the locals, especially the young generation.
"It is understood that the production of European Survivor 1 has invested a total of RM33 million last year and this year the production is spending some RM20 million for the second series scheduled to start by this April.
"This time a total of 150 locals have been employed as contract and general workers to assist in the production," he said.
Meanwhile, executive producer of Landmark Films Sdn Bhd, Wan Suhaimi Mat, said the filming of European Survivor 2 to last for two months starting on April 1 and is expected to be broadcast in European countries by this October.
"Among them, it will be broadcast on TV in Holland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway by October during winter.
"Among the filming locations chosen are Pulau Tuba, Pulau Dayang Bunting and Pulau Timun," he said.