FFM34 Best Film Winner To Receive RM1 Mln Creative Content Fund – Teo Nie Ching

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- The winner of the Best Film Category at the 34th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM) will receive support through the Creative Content Fund (DKK) amounting to RM1 million.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said this is a gesture of the government's continued support for local filmmakers.

“We are proud of the box office collection achieved this year because it is a positive sign for the development of the national film industry, thus showing that the film sector in Malaysia is developing well.

“I believe it is appropriate for us to increase the amount of prizes offered because with the funds, the winners have the potential to produce films that are truly quality and have a big impact on the industry,” she told reporters after the FFM34 Opening Ceremony and Top 5 Announcement here today.

Also present were the deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communications and Creative Industries) of the Ministry of Communications Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) chairman Datuk Hans Isaac and Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib.

Teo said this year is an important moment for the national film and content industry, when the ministry will table amendments to the Finas Act 1981 and renew the National Film Policy, in line with technological advances and the changing landscape of the creative ecosystem of the time now.

In this regard, she asked Finas to ensure that all policies for the development of the film industry are examined and included in short-term and long-term planning to realise the aspiration of making Malaysia a successful regional film hub.

Regarding FFM34 which is themed ‘Creative Works, Dynamic Cinema’, Teo said it received an encouraging response with 41 feature films, 26 short films and 23 documentaries being nominated during the nomination period from July 8 to 25.

To appreciate the services of artistic figures who have shaped the journey of Malaysian cinema, she said Finas also organised the Tribute Programme: Appreciation to National Veteran Film Figures to recognise four Malaysian art activists, namely actresses Datin Rusnani Jamil, Ruminah Sidek, Datuk Rahim Razali and Othman Hafsham.

The FFM34 Awards Night will be held at Seri Angkasa Auditorium, Angkasapuri on November 1 and will be hosted by actor Datuk Afdlin Shauki together with Che Puan Sarimah Ibrahim.

The event will be broadcast live on RTM TV2 and Finas YouTube.

-- BERNAMA