Latest news with #CreativeContentFund
The Star
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Finas committed to take local talents to international stage
Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac said the achievements of local actors in the foreign film industry are gaining prominence and need to be supported comprehensively. Photo: Hand Isaac/Instagram The National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) is committed to boosting the presence of local talents and works at the international level through various strategic initiatives, including support funds, participation in world film festivals and cross-government agency collaboration. Its chairman Datuk Hans Isaac said the achievements of local actors in the foreign film industry are gaining prominence and need to be supported comprehensively to become a catalyst for the development of the country's creative industry. "Finas is very proud and fully supports the success of local production companies and individual talents who have succeeded in penetrating the international market. This success proves that our creative industry can be accepted and compete at the international level," he said. He added that among the main initiatives provided by Finas are the Creative Content Fund (DKK), Film In Malaysia Incentive (FIMI), human capital development funds and international market participation funds, as well as promotions and facilities for high-potential works. Hans said Finas also provides international synergy routes through participation in major world film festivals and markets such as Cannes, Berlinale and Busan, as well as establishing collaborations with agencies such as the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), embassies and foreign agencies as facilitators for local industry players. He said the long-term goal is to produce more successors to international industry figures such as Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh and Henry Golding, as well as behind-the-scene professionals. Among the local talents currently stealing attention abroad is young actor Irfan Zaini who has the opportunity to star in a film in India with the country's famous star, Vijay, thus making him one of Malaysia's new faces on the global stage. Irfan, who was previously active on the local screen, described cross-country collaborations as the best space to gain experience and bring Malaysia's name to a higher level in the film world. Commenting on the development, Hans described Irfan's success as a tribute to the industry and a testament to the abilities of local people if given the opportunity and support. "I hope Irfan will take this opportunity to bring glory to the country's creative industry and be an example to other industry players. Finas is very proud of his achievements," he said. – Bernama
Daily Express
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Creative industry as new economic driver: Hajiji
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji said the DKK, introduced by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications and Finas, offers a wide platform for Sabahans to showcase their stories, culture and heritage through various media such as films, documentaries and television programmes. Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is committed to strengthening the local creative industry as a new economic driver and a catalyst in advancing Borneo's cultural narrative on both the national and international stage. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the State Government, through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan, is focusing on developing digital economy and knowledge-based industries, including creative content. He said several initiatives are currently underway to upgrade creative facilities and support content training centres and incubators in Kota Kinabalu, Keningau and Sandakan. These efforts are being coordinated through close collaboration with federal agencies such as the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FInas), which provides the Creative Content Fund (DKK) to support the local creative industry. 'This fund is crucial in helping artists and production houses create content that reflects Sabah's identity, thereby promoting folk tales, history and the diversity of indigenous languages to a wider audience,' he said during the Presentation Ceremony of Letters of Acceptance for the Sabah Creative Content Fund (DKK), here, on Tuesday. His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan. Hajiji said the DKK, introduced by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications and Finas, offers a wide platform for Sabahans to showcase their stories, culture and heritage through various media such as films, documentaries and television programmes. 'Sabah possesses extraordinary socio-cultural diversity with more than 30 ethnic groups and over 200 sub-ethnic groups. This makes the State one of the richest regions in terms of oral, visual and narrative culture, deserving recognition as a source of authentic content. 'In fact, Sabah's natural beauty whether on land, sea, or in the mountains also offers a tremendous advantage when translated into creative content that can captivate both local and international audiences,' he said. Hajiji also expressed appreciation to the Minister of Communications, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and the Ministry's team along with Finas for choosing Sabah as the host for this high-impact programme. He described the event as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government's commitment to expanding the nation's creative ecosystem beyond the Klang Valley while also recognising the potential of Sabah and Sarawak not just as filming locations but as hubs for the creation of high-value content. 'Initiatives such as the Borneo TV Programme Fund and the Joint Documentary Fund with Borneo TV are strategic moves that position Borneo at the heart of fresh and original content. We want to see more creative works born from Borneo, not just for Malaysia, but for the world,' he said. Hajiji also praised the achievements of Sabah's youths in producing quality works through platforms such as the Sabah Film Lab, Mini Film Fest and the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIFF), which have successfully gained recognition from audiences and juries both domestically and abroad. 'I encourage more young people, especially those from rural areas, to be brave in trying and making use of the opportunities this fund provides. Stories of one's hometown, family history and local culture can become great works if translated well,' he said. Hajiji also urged that creative content be used as a bridge for unity, a source of development inspiration and a cultural mirror of Sabah within the framework of Malaysia Madani. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
24-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
42 Creative Content Fund applications from Sabah and Sarawak approved
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 By: Kazalinah Kamaludin Text Size: Nizam (sixth, right) and Fahmi (centre) with recipients of the 2025 Creative Content Fund (DKK) and Borneo TV Programme Fund at the DKK Sabah award ceremony. Kota Kinabalu: A total of 42 Creative Content Fund (DKK) applications from production companies in Sabah and Sarawak, worth RM7.43 million, have been approved from 2022 up to this month. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the approved applications covered various categories, including feature and short films, documentaries, marketing, scriptwriting and post-production, creating over 1,245 job opportunities. 'As of this month, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) has also received 36 applications for the Borneo TV Programme Fund and 24 for the Post-Production Fund. 'All applications are evaluated transparently and with integrity by a committee comprising professional panelists and ministry representatives,' he said at the presentation of Creative Content Fund letters of acceptance to Sabah's creative industry players in Sabah, here, Tuesday night. Also present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Finas Chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, Finas Chief Executive Officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Information Department Director-General Julina Johan. Fahmi said under the DKK, 14 local production companies have been offered the Borneo TV Programme Fund, including six from Sabah. He said the six Sabah companies received approvals amounting to RM1.15 million, expected to create over 200 new jobs. 'As for the Post-Production Fund, nine companies received offers, one of which is from Sabah. For Sabah, one project was approved with a value of nearly RM240,000, adding value to the post-filming process,' he said. He added that the total amount approved for the seven Sabah companies under the Borneo TV Programme Fund and the Post-Production Fund stood at RM1.39 million. Fahmi said various success stories have emerged through government grants and incentives, including the film 'Blood Brothers: Bara Naga', which grossed RM73.6 million, 'Bleat!' which made a mark at Cannes, and most recently, 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2', which opened in Indonesia with over 200,000 viewers in its first week. Fahmi added that the Communications Ministry, through Finas, has agreed to collaborate with Borneo TV via the Borneo TV Programme Fund, with content produced by its recipients to also be aired on the Borneo TV platform. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the DKK has opened vast opportunities for the people of Sabah to showcase their stories, culture and heritage through various mediums such as films, documentaries and television programmes. 'Sabah possesses extraordinary socio-cultural diversity – with more than 30 ethnic groups and over 200 sub-ethnicities. This makes the State one of the richest regions in terms of oral, visual and narrative culture, which deserves attention as a source of authentic content,' he said. He added that Sabah's natural beauty gives it a distinct advantage to be translated into creative content capable of attracting both local and international audiences. The text of his speech was read out by Nizam. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
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Daily Express
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Sabah to boost creative sector as new economic driver
Published on: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 23, 2025 Text Size: Nizam and Fahmi with the fund recipients and others. - Pic by CMD KOTA KINABALU: The State Government is committed to strengthening Sabah's creative industry as a new economic driver and a platform to share Borneo's cultural narratives nationally and abroad. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan focuses on building a digital and knowledge-based economy, including creative content. He noted that efforts are underway to upgrade creative facilities and support training centres and content incubators in Keningau, Sandakan, and here in collaboration with federal agencies such as the National Film Development Corporation (Finas). Speaking at the Creative Content Fund (DKK) acceptance letter handover ceremony on Tuesday, Hajiji said the fund plays a vital role in helping local creators produce Sabah-identity content that highlights folklore, history, and indigenous languages. His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, here. Hajiji said the DKK provides opportunities for Sabahans to tell their stories through films, documentaries, and television programmes, making use of the state's rich cultural diversity and natural beauty. He also praised young Sabahan talents for gaining recognition through platforms such as the Sabah Film Lab, Mini Film Fest, and Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival, and encouraged more youth, especially from rural areas, to explore creative storytelling. Also present was Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malay Mail
23-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Sabah, Sarawak creative firms get RM7.4m boost, over 1,200 jobs created under govt fund
KOTA KINABALU, July 23 — A total of 42 Creative Content Fund (DKK) applications from production companies in Sabah and Sarawak, worth RM7.43 million, have been approved from 2022 up to this month, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the approved applications covered various categories, including feature and short films, documentaries, marketing, scriptwriting and post-production, creating over 1,245 jobs. 'As of this month, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) has also received 36 applications for the Borneo TV Programme Fund and 24 for the Post-Production Fund. All applications are evaluated transparently and with integrity by a committee comprising professional panellists and ministry representatives,' he said. He was speaking at the presentation of Creative Content Fund letters of acceptance to Sabah's creative industry players in Sabah here yesterday night. Also present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Information Department director-general Julina Johan. Fahmi further said that under the DKK, 14 local production companies have been offered the Borneo TV Programme Fund, including six from Sabah. He said the six Sabah companies received approvals amounting to RM1.15 million, expected to create over 200 new jobs. 'As for the Post-Production Fund, nine companies received offers, one of which is from Sabah. For Sabah, one project was approved with a value of nearly RM240,000, adding value to the post-filming process,' he said. He added that the total amount approved for the seven Sabah companies under the Borneo TV Programme Fund and the Post-Production Fund stood at RM1.39 million. Fahmi said various success stories have emerged through government grants and incentives, including the film 'Blood Brothers: Bara Naga', which grossed RM73.6 million, 'Bleat!' which made a mark at Cannes, and most recently, 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2', which opened in Indonesia with over 200,000 viewers in its first week. Fahmi added that the Communications Ministry, through Finas, has agreed to collaborate with Borneo TV via the Borneo TV Programme Fund, with content produced by its recipients to also be aired on the Borneo TV platform. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the DKK has opened vast opportunities for the people of Sabah to showcase their stories, culture and heritage through various mediums such as films, documentaries and television programmes. 'Sabah possesses extraordinary sociocultural diversity – with more than 30 ethnic groups and over 200 sub-ethnicities. This makes the state one of the richest regions in terms of oral, visual and narrative culture, which deserves attention as a source of authentic content,' he said. He added that Sabah's natural beauty gives it a distinct advantage to be translated into creative content capable of attracting both local and international audiences. The text of his speech was read out by Nizam. — Bernama
