National Film Policy draft 80% complete, says Finas

Finas chief executive officer Prof Dr Md Nasir Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR: The draft for the National Film Policy is 80% complete, says the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas).

Finas chief executive officer Prof Dr Md Nasir Ibrahim (pic) said work on the policy started last year and a retreat with the representatives of the country’s film associations will be held to get their feedback, adding that the draft will then be handed over to a lawyer.

"It will be presented for the last time during the top management meeting at the Communications and Digital Ministry before getting the Cabinet approval," he told reporters at the National Artists' Day 2023 (HSK 2023) media conference on Saturday (March 11).

It was reported earlier that the ministry was looking at aspects of the National Film Policy that can be improved in efforts to stimulate the development of the country's creative industry post-Covid-19.

Minister Fahmi Fadzil said it involved several specific matters not only related to local creative industry players but efforts to attract foreign production companies to Malaysia, adding that the move was important to empower the sector which has the potential to attract foreign investors in the next few years with an estimated value of over RM1bil.

On HSK 2023, he said the programme will be held on March 20 to recognise the efforts of creative industry players in the country’s development.

Carrying the theme ‘Filem Wadah Perpaduan, Titian Keharmonian’, the programme seeks to achieve a higher excellence level for the art and culture sector and increase the public's awareness and appreciation of the role it plays as well as create a Malaysian society that appreciates art and culture.

"The HSK celebration is an initiative of the government to celebrate the contributions made by creative industry players, especially actors, musicians, singers, painters, sculptors, poets, writers, broadcasters and others," said Md Nasir. - Bernama