Finas Distributes RM1.51 Million In Screening Incentives To 27 Films

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) today distributed the Incentive for Short Film Screenings (ITFC 2.0) worth RM1.51 million to 27 local films, in line with the government's ongoing commitment to strengthening the national film industry.

Finas chairman Datuk Gerald Hans Isaac said the incentive was given based on a specific format and percentage assessment in accordance with the ITFC standard operating procedures (SOP) adopted since the initiative was introduced on July 1, 2011.

He said the incentive reflected the commitment of the MADANI Government and the Ministry of Communications as well as FINAS, in assisting the survival of the local creative industry through various forms of financial support.

“Based on my experience interacting with industry players abroad, not all countries provide incentives like this and some of them have expressed jealousy towards the support given by Malaysia to its creative industry.

"This incentive has also been channeled three times (this year), starting with April involving nine films with a total of RM613,702.13, followed by the second handover in September amounting to RM1,128,729.74 (14 films) and today with RM1,509,659.32 (27 films)," he said at a press conference after the ITFC 2.0 Presentation Ceremony held at the P. Ramlee Mini Cinema, Finas here, today.

In addition, Hans said throughout this year, the local film industry recorded a total collection of RM221.6 million from the screening of 71 local feature films under the implementation of the Compulsory Screening Scheme, thus making 2025 the year highest collection since the scheme was introduced.

"We (Finas) will continue to implement targeted and high-impact incentive initiatives to ensure that the country's film and creative content industry develops sustainably, competitively and inclusively," he said at the event, which was also attended by FINAS deputy director-general Datin Rozita Waty Ridzuan.

ITFC is an initiative of the Ministry of Communications through Finas to assist and encourage film producers to produce local feature films, indirectly generating the development of the film industry through an industry incentive strategy.

-- BERNAMA