YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima TPr. Annuar Haji Musa, Minister of Communications and Multimedia
In an effort to attract international filmmakers to invest in the local film industries, YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima TPr. Annuar Haji Musa, Minister of Communications and Multimedia, made his way to Iskandar Malaysia Studios (IMS) to further identify and understand the troubles faced by the industry. The coordinated visit with the Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) was also to celebrate the collaboration of Iskandar Malaysia Studios (IMS) and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) on the Film In Malaysia Incentive’s (FIMI) revamped policy.
YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima TPr. Annuar Haji Musa said, “Filming projects that meet the cultural test requirements involving the promotion of location, culture, and talent in Malaysia are eligible for a total cash rebate of up to 35% of the total Qualifying Malaysian Production Expenditure in Malaysia (QMPE). The improvements to the FIMI program are a result of the growing demand for film and television content in Malaysia, which now has attracted more than USD $300 million in foreign production expenditure annually.”
The initiative by the government aims to multiply job opportunities in Malaysia while increasing business activities in the local market and creating a highly saturated film business ecosystem in Malaysia.
CEO of Finas, Professor Dr. Md Nasir Ibrahim, further elaborated on the design of the government incentive program where it is directed to attract international film producers to create their masterpieces in Malaysia which simultaneously improves the local film industry in talent development, infrastructure, and co-productions.
Professor Dr. Md Nasir Ibrahim stated, “This makes FIMI one of the most competitive programs in Asia and globally. In addition, Malaysia’s relative success in managing the Covid-19 pandemic, its growing depth and breadth of local crew and talent, excellent infrastructure and connectivity, as well as its cost-competitiveness gives it a unique opportunity to attract a larger and longer-term pipeline of screen productions into the country.”
Rashid Karim, Chief Executive Officer of Iskandar Malaysia Studios, also added, “With one of the highest vaccination rates globally and clear but practical filming protocols in place, Malaysia has proven to be an extremely safe and cost-competitive option for our clients.”
IMS and FINAS have been working together deliberately to provide an affordable price for local producers to commence their productions. On top of that, IMS has agreed to grant a guaranteed discount of up to 75% on rentals for their Film Stage and TV Studios. Do take note that in order to be eligible for FIMI, the facility must be a local company with 51% Malaysian ownership.
Those who are interested to apply for FIMI, do visit the website: https://filminmalaysia.com/ or call 03 – 7968 2137 or via email at fimi@finas.my.
