KUALA LUMPUR: The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) will examine the need to set up a dedicated co-production fund for television formats as part of efforts to strengthen support for the local content industry and to tap into the growing potential of the Asean market.
Its chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib said expanding the co-production fund to include TV content is expected to enhance collaboration and business opportunities within the regional creative industry, while also opening doors for Malaysian producers to enter international markets.
“Of the 1,800 to 2,000 production licences issued annually, about 80% of companies are also producing content for TV and OTT (over-the-top) platforms, in addition to theatrical films.
“We have already announced the co-production fund for films, so it is only fitting that this incentive be extended to the entire sector, including TV.
“We will look into this matter and bring it to the ministry level,” he said at a press conference on the Asean Film and TV Summit (AFTS) 2025 here yesterday, Bernama reported.
He added that through the proposed “co-pro TV fund”, Finas hopes to further empower Malaysia’s television content industry to grow and compete globally, while strengthening the nation’s position as a leading creative industry player in Asean.
Azmir Saifuddin also said that about 200 participants are expected to take part in AFTS 2025, which will be held here from Oct 28 to 30.
The summit will bring together leading figures from the film, television and youth sectors, including broadcasters, producers and policymakers from South-East Asia.
A key highlight of the event will be the Co-Production Forum, designed as a platform to exchange ideas and explore new opportunities for collaborative productions among Asean countries.
As the strategic partner of AFTS, the Malaysian Television Producers Association will also organise a pitching session, with five producers set to benefit from the International Participation and Promotional Fund, as well as receive incentives of up to RM50,000.
“We want to support these producers (who receive the funding) by helping them use the funds to bring their ideas and pitch them at international platforms such as film festivals in Busan, South Korea, and Jogjakarta, Indonesia,” Azmir Saifuddin said.
