FINAS TO REPRINT M'SIAN ANIMATION PIONEER HASSAN MUTHALIB’S BODY OF WORK

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) is planning to reprint the works and scholarly books of Malaysia’s renowned animation figure, Hassan Muthalib, to ensure his legacy remains a source of reference for local filmmakers and animators.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the works of the Father of Malaysian Animation will be preserved in FINAS's library collection, allowing producers, directors, and other creative industry players to access and draw inspiration from Hassan’s techniques, ideas, and filmmaking and animation experiences.

“Hassan has written extensively on the meaning and craft of filmmaking, and he has also informed me that a new book is set to be published early next year.

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“Such contributions deserve to be properly documented,” he told reporters after visiting Hassan at his residence under the FINAS Ziarah Seni Madani 2025 programme today.

Fahmi said Hassan’s works, which have gained prominence in the local animation scene since the 1980s, such as Sang Kancil dan Sang Monyet, are expected to help students, academicians, and industry players better understand the history and foundation of Malaysian animation.

At the same time, he said that documenting Hassan’s body of work not only honours his immense contributions to the industry but also serves as a lasting source of inspiration for the next generation of creative talents.

“We want the younger generation not only to know figures like him but also to understand the foundations and history of the nation’s film and animation industry,” he said.

Earlier, Fahmi also presented a contribution to Hassan, who underwent spinal surgery last week and is currently undergoing recovery.

-- BERNAMA