Latest news with #CompulsoryScreeningScheme
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Finas proposes extending viewer count period for local films to four days
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) has proposed extending the period for calculating viewer numbers to determine eligibility for full screenings of local films under the Compulsory Screening Scheme from three days to four. Its chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib said the proposal was among the improvements in the amendment to the Finas Act 1981 to ensure fairer opportunities for local producers. 'Many are still confused about the scheme. Despite being called a 14-day mandatory screening, it is subject to two main conditions, the film must record at least 15 per cent audience turnout in the first three days and reach 30 per cent of total viewers to remain in the main cinema location. 'So we propose that the 15 per cent calculation be extended to four days, from Thursday to Sunday, as viewer numbers are usually higher over the weekend,' he said when appearing as a guest on Bernama TV's Apa Khabar Malaysia programme today. He said the Compulsory Screening Scheme was the only mechanism of its kind in the world, introduced to protect local films from competing with international titles, unlike countries such as China and South Korea, which implemented quota systems. Meanwhile, Azmir Saifuddin reminded producers to submit their applications at least three months before the screening date to allow the evaluation committee to arrange the schedule in an orderly manner. 'We at Finas will also be more proactive in sharing information on the annual screening schedule so that producers can plan the best dates and locations,' he said. According to him, one of the main challenges in implementing the scheme was the change in viewing habits after the COVID-19 pandemic, as audiences had become more selective and were less inclined to watch films in cinemas. 'Previously, audiences would go to the cinema three or four times a month, but now it may only be once. So the challenge is how producers plan their screening dates and locations,' he said. As additional support, Azmir Saifuddin said Finas also shared data on viewing trends, including the most popular genres and locations based on current statistics. 'For example, Malay-language horror films may be more popular in areas like Wangsa Maju or Hulu Klang, while Tamil films have their own target locations,' he said. Meanwhile, Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, who also appeared as a guest on the programme, emphasised that priority should be given to selecting strategic screening slots to ensure local films have a fair chance of attracting cinema audiences. 'When I was a producer, I also wanted to know the screening time. If it was scheduled at 10 am or during prayer time, who would come to watch a Malay film? he said. He also suggested that producers appoint experienced distribution and marketing companies, rather than handling everything on their own merely to reduce costs. 'Investment in marketing also plays a key role in the success of a film,' he said.
Malaysiakini
17-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Finas proposes extending local films' viewer count period to 4 days
The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) has proposed extending the period for calculating viewer numbers to determine eligibility for full screenings of local films under the Compulsory Screening Scheme from three days to four. Its chief executive officer, Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, said the proposal was among the improvements in the amendment to the Finas Act 1981 to ensure fairer opportunities for local producers.
New Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Actor Amerul Affendi's outburst gets attention of cinema operator
KUALA LUMPUR: Actor Amerul Affendi is relieved and satisfied that a cinema operator has responded positively to his public criticism of its non-compliance with the Compulsory Screening Scheme. Harian Metro reported today that the 38-year-old actor, whose full name is Mohd Amerul Affendi Mohd Mawardi, had voiced his disappointment when a cinema chain prematurely withdrew the screening of the film '6 Jilake' during its first week. "Under Finas' Compulsory Screening Scheme, films are supposed to be screened for a minimum of two weeks. "However, I was disappointed when a cinema deliberately pulled '6 Jilake' early," Amerul said. "That's why I took to social media on May 1 to express my frustration. "Many people had planned to go to the cinema on that day (the Labour Day public holiday) specifically to watch the movie, only to find that there were no available showtimes," he explained. "While I understand that this was purely a business decision, I'm also grateful that the cinema operator listened to the feedback from our audience," Amerul added, expressing his delight upon learning that the cinema had agreed to reinstate screenings if there was sufficient demand from moviegoers. "Praise be to God, the public response has been strong, which led the operator to reconsider its decision and extend the screenings until this weekend," he said. Amerul also suggested that a concerted effort should be made to encourage more people to support local films in cinemas. "As actors, we all have a responsibility to assist producers and production houses with promotion, given the significant investment of resources they've made in creating these films," he said. In addition to '6 Jilake', Amerul can also be seen in the recent Tonton Original drama series 'Bru,' alongside Shukri Yahaya and Siti Hariessa, directed by Nik Amir Mustapha.
New Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 7 production companies get Finas incentive
THE National Film Development Corporation (Finas) has awarded the Feature Film Screening Incentive 2.0 totaling RM613,702 to nine local films through seven qualifying companies. Its chief executive officer, Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, said the incentive handover was made after all the films had been screened in cinemas through the Compulsory Screening Scheme. "The presentation of this incentive is intended to encourage local filmmakers to continue contributing their work to the development of the country's creative industry. "Through this incentive programme, Finas also provides about five per cent incentives for any local film that enters the Compulsory Screening Scheme based on ticket collections achieved in cinemas nationwide. "This is a Finas initiative so that local production companies can produce the next film to encourage producers to produce box office works with higher collections. "However, the constraints that are currently in place are the high entertainment duties. This incentive is also to reduce the burden on local producers," he said. The seven production companies that received the incentives were MIG Pictures Sdn Bhd, Fiesk Sdn Bhd, Scifilm Sdn Bhd, Hug Pictures Sdn Bhd, Empire Film Solution Sdn Bhd, Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Bhd and Mangkin Prestif Sdn Bhd. The nine films that are eligible for the incentive are 'Jangan Pandang Belakang: Aku Tahu Asal Usulmu', 'Takafur', 'This Land Of Mine', 'C 4 Cinta', 'Lubuk', 'Danum', 'Reeza', 'Papa' and 'Dajal: Satu Malam Dipedajal'.
