Community Film Workshops Draw 225 Applications, Says Teo

KULAI, April 3 (Bernama) -- A total of 225 applications have been received from associations and companies to run Community Film and Creative Youth Workshops since last November, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said.

She said 60 applications had been approved, with 32 programmes delivered, reaching 960 youths as of March 31.

“The response shows strong potential among young people, and the programme will run until December 2027, targeting 240 locations nationwide,” she said when officiating the workshop here today.

The three-day workshop, which begins today, brings together 30 participants aged under 30 and covers modules including storytelling, script development, acting, camera techniques, and creative editing.

Teo said the workshop is part of the MADANI Community Creative Youth Programme, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim under Budget 2025, with RM12 million allocated to boost creative talent nationwide.

She said the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) has earmarked RM3 million to run the programme nationwide.

Teo also said the creative industry contributed almost RM130.7 billion, or 6.8 per cent of Malaysia’s GDP in 2024, up from 4.5 per cent the year before.

She said over 70 per cent of digital content creators are aged 18 to 35, and FINAS is partnering with the Department of Skills Development to implement the Recognition of Prior Learning programme, enabling creative industry practitioners to earn Malaysian Skills Certificates.

Teo said 50 creative industry practitioners received the certificate last year.

“The programme will continue this year, targeting an additional 50 local creative practitioners for certification, expected in the second quarter of 2026,” she added.

-- BERNAMA