MALAYSIA ALLOCATES RM300 MILLION TO ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia continues to intensify efforts to strengthen its position as a major filming hub in Southeast Asia (ASEAN) through its participation in the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) 2026.

The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), in a statement, said the government’s commitment of RM300 million over five years under the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI) serves as a key driver in attracting more international productions to the country.

It said the funding demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to attracting international film and television productions through competitive rebates, comprehensive production support and a rapidly growing creative ecosystem. 

“The FIMI programme provides financial rebates for both domestic and foreign productions that choose Malaysia as a filming destination, supported by experienced local crews, modern production infrastructure and diverse filming locations. 

“In 2026, Malaysia is focusing on three strategic areas within the screen industry: boosting domestic box-office performance, establishing the country as an ASEAN hub for reality and unscripted productions and further expanding Malaysia’s role as a regional leader in animation.

"The session also highlighted upcoming Malaysian productions, including the action-thriller KONSPIRASI, produced by Elepfilm Entertainment, which was unveiled during the event. The company signed an international distribution agreement with Reliance Media Entertainment, marking a significant step in expanding Malaysian films into regional and global markets," it said.

Earlier, FINAS chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib delivered a briefing during the Malaysia on Screen session in conjunction with the agency’s participation at FILMART 2026 in Hong Kong.

The programme also featured an industry panel exploring Malaysia-Hong Kong collaboration in action filmmaking, bringing together representatives from Skop Productions of Malaysia and One Cool Film Production of Hong Kong. 

The panel included Skop Productions CEO and executive producer Shamin Yusof; One Cool Film Production managing director Tang Wai-But and Hong Kong actor and action choreographer Ken Law (Super Ken), with Malaysian actress and producer Tong Bing Yu serving as moderator.

During the panel, Shamin highlighted Skop Productions’ continued growth, citing blockbuster titles such as Polis Evo 3, KL Special Force, Abang Long Fadil 2 and Sheriff: Narko Integriti, which achieved strong box-office performance and expanded into regional markets.

The session also showcased local production companies’ achievements, highlighting Malaysia’s growing capacity to produce high-quality content for both domestic and international audiences.

-- BERNAMA