PUTRAJAYA, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil will hold discussions with his counterparts from ASEAN countries in the near future to explore wider opportunities for Malaysian films in the regional market.
He said the move is in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s directive to intensify efforts to strengthen the position of local films in the international market.
“The Prime Minister has instructed me to hold discussions with counterparts in ASEAN countries to ensure that Malaysian films in particular can go further.
“I will request the ministry to follow up, and we will arrange meetings and discussions,” he said at the Communications Ministry’s monthly assembly here today.
Also present were his deputy Teo Nie Ching, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.
According to Fahmi, among the matters to be raised in the meetings are the issues faced by film producers and distributors, as well as ways to ease and smoothen the entry of Malaysian films into ASEAN countries.
“Perhaps for a film we send over, ASEAN countries may also want to send their films to Malaysia.
“So we will discuss this although there are economic and free market aspects; at the same time, we may want to work on sending several films abroad,” he said.
On government support for the creative industry, Fahmi said RM31 million has been allocated under the Creative Content Fund (DKK), which covers 11 main schemes.
So far, he said, 116 productions have been realised through the fund, creating more than 2,600 job opportunities.
“Recently, the Woo Ming Jin-directed film The Fox King, which received DKK support, brought pride to the nation at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival and the Busan Film Festival.
“So I believe this is a good effort and one that we must continue to strengthen,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
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