TV/OTT Programme Fund is open to accepting applications for various film themes. Photo: Handout
National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) has initiated a TV/OTT Programme Fund through a collaboration with Astro.
All Malaysian film companies can submit applications under this fund – which is a sub-set of Finas’ Digital Content Fund – by Nov 30 via finas.gov.my
Astro said in a press statement: "The fund injection will aid film companies to resume production, in addition to repaying differed debts due to months-long suspension in production as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
While the produced films can have various themes, they must feature the “super-tele premium format which includes commercial values suited for a home-cinema concept ” as the films will be aired on Astro First.
The projects that receive funding must also hand in their work within 12 months.
Only 10 submissions that meet all the terms and conditions will make the final cut. These films will not only have their works shown on the channel, they will also receive marketing and promotional support on Astro platform.
Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri, CEO of Finas, is quoted in the statement: “This strategic collaboration between Finas and Astro provides greater value to the development of local films especially in terms of production, distribution and promotion.
“Additionally, from a creative economic context, this will provide more opportunities to producers to generate an income from their copyrights.
“In the long run, this will definitely stimulate further, the distribution and promotion of films domestically and globally."
On Oct 30, Bernama reported that Finas is offering an accreditation and certification programme on creative content to industry practitioners particularly those involved in filmmaking.
The news agency shared the statement from Finas: "The objective of this initiative is to increase the level of capability of the creative industry workforce to be highly skilled, which is needed towards achieving a high-income economy as well as to protect the interests and rights of the creative industry workforce, particularly in the national film sector.
"Finas is optimistic that this programme is able to upgrade the standards of industry practitioners and ensure that only individuals of calibre are in the field of creative content without marginalising any party."
Applications to enrol in the accreditation programme opened on Oct 15 at akreditasi.finas.my/login.php.
