Operators urged to screen more local films

Onn (left) briefing Tang during the team visit to King Trioplex in Sibu.

SIBU: The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) wants theatres nationwide to screen more locally made movies and not just foreign ones.

Speaking to reporters after visiting King’s Trioplex, a Finas board member, Onn Norshal Hamzah, said they are currently visiting theatres across the country including those in Sarawak to get the cooperation of movie theatre operators to support local movies.

Onn and his entourage were received by the trioplex manager, Tang Chiok King.

“During this visit, we briefed them on the local film industry and also to see the potential for their cooperation in screening local movies,” he said.

Onn said Finas has always encouraged local filmmakers and producers to make more movies, but it was also their responsibility to ensure that theatres nationwide give space and opportunity to screen them.

“With theatres showing more local movies, it will enable us to compete with foreign works,” he said.

Asked how Finas could go about promoting local movies, he said the corporation, as a coordinator, has a promotion programme where it encourages theatres to do early screening of local movies and also to show their trailers.

“When we visit them, we want to also gather feedback from them on how such cooperation could be enhanced,” he said. – By Andy Chua