PETALING JAYA: The RM130mil allocation for the entertainment industry in Budget 2027 should be fairly distributed especially to provide greater support for independent filmmakers, say experts.
Film producer and Yayasan KRU president Datuk Norman Abdul Halim said funding should support emerging directors and producers, create jobs and develop local intellectual properties (IPs).
“We should allocate funding to projects that investors might not ordinarily support, such as stories about our history, significant national events and cultural activities.
“Such projects are important to preserve our national identity,” he said.
Iskander Azizuddin, who produces independent films through Feisk Productions, said more funding should reach filmmakers willing to take creative risks.
“Growth shouldn’t just be about box office numbers, but how bold, original and diverse our Malaysian stories become.”
Feisk Productions has participated in several international programmes, including last month’s Global Media Makers Residency in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, on tickets for local films and theatre performances in the Federal Territories being exempted from entertainment duty, Norman said the move could boost box office performance and encourage investment in local productions and live entertainment.
However, he urged other states, particularly those with sufficient resources, to consider similar tax relief.
“If other states have resources to generate revenue from other sources, they probably will not need entertainment tax to support state activities.”
Kotodama Lab producer Foo Hui Yin said lifting the tax exemption on movie tickets would give exhibitors and producers a bit more breathing room on box office margins.
“But tax relief doesn’t fix the real bottleneck: screen access.
“If an independent or mid-tier film is pushed into a 10am or 11pm graveyard slot under current screening practices, the tax rate hardly matters.
“People will show up when they are given fair showtimes and films that respect their intelligence,” Foo said
Saleswoman Irene Tan fully supports the exemption and said that it will make her more keen to watch local films in cinemas.
“Sometimes, people may be interested in watching local films but hesitate because of the cost of tickets.
“Now that tickets will be cheaper, I will definitely go to cinemas more often to watch local films.”
