Profima Prepares 50 Certified Trainers To Strengthen Creative Industry

By Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- In an effort to further strengthen the nation’s creative industry, the Professional Film Workers Association of Malaysia (Profima) has prepared 50 certified trainers to enhance training and talent development in the film sector.

All of them were accredited through a Train-The-Trainer course conducted in collaboration with HRD Corp, thereby establishing a pool of professional trainers capable of training industry workers in a structured, standardised and continuous manner.

Profima president Khalil Salleh said the initiative represents a long-term investment to ensure that the experience and expertise of industry crew members can be systematically transferred to the younger generation.

“Our industry has long been rich in talent and experience, but there has been no formal pathway to recognise crew members as trainers. Through this initiative, they not only receive official accreditation but can also contribute back to the industry through a more systematic approach,” he told Bernama.

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He said this after the Profima Ramadan Iftar event and Malaysia Film Crew Day 2026 celebration held at the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) yesterday, which was officiated by Communications Ministry Secretary-General Abdul Halim Hamzah.

He said the accredited participants possess expertise in various fields, including make-up and hairstyling, camera work, editing, audio, scriptwriting and branding, to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding industry.

“This accreditation also opens up new income-generation opportunities, particularly for experienced and veteran crew members, while helping to produce more skilled workers to meet the growing demand for creative content,” he said, adding that the presentation of certificates to the 50 trainers symbolises recognition of the vital role played by behind-the-scenes crew in strengthening the nation’s film and arts industry.

Meanwhile, Khalil said the association has also established a strategic collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Rehabilitation for Drug Dependents (PENGASIH) to strengthen recovery health efforts related to drug abuse among workers and the broader ecosystem of the country’s film and creative industry.

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He said the collaboration is a proactive step taken by the professional workers’ representative body in the film industry to address mental health issues, work-related stress, risky lifestyles and increasing social challenges faced by those in the industry.

“The irregular work patterns, long production periods, time pressure, as well as high physical and emotional demands can expose some workers to the risk of substance abuse, thus requiring solutions that are structured, humane and free of stigma.

“Through this collaboration, we will implement awareness and preventive education programmes on drug abuse, provide safe referral channels for treatment and rehabilitation, offer counselling support, and develop recovery health modules tailored to the realities of work in the creative industry,” he said.

Khalil said Profima believes that without comprehensive intervention, such issues could affect the safety of filming sets, the quality of work and the image of the industry. As such, the joint commitment with PENGASIH reflects efforts to build a more caring, inclusive and resilient Malaysian film and creative sector.

-- BERNAMA