Kota Kinabalu: The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) will establish a Borneo Media Centre of Excellence here to benefit Sabah filmmakers in developing their productions.
Its Chairman, Datuk Kamil Othman, said the centre, expected to be operational by 2026, will provide post-production facilities equipped with the latest technology.
He noted that the lack of infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges faced by filmmakers in the State.
“I’ve been informed that funds have already been allocated for this purpose, and we are now awaiting the budget to develop the centre in Kota Kinabalu.
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“Once this project succeeds, we hope more private companies will step in to provide more specialised post-production facilities,” Kamil said during the Ziarah Seni Madani Finas Programme, here, recently.
Additionally, by 2025, he added Finas will establish a centre here that will provide advanced filming equipment, such as cameras and lighting.
“This will allow filmmakers in Sabah to access more advanced equipment, further supporting the development of productions and talent in the state,” he said.
To further support the film industry, Kamil said Finas will introduce training programs on accounting, auditing, copyright, and script development next year.
“Previously, we didn’t offer accounting training for film development in Malaysia. However, if we look at Hollywood, production companies there have accounting bureaus such as production accountants, visual effects accountants, and more.
“We will also conduct audit training for film production, so when filmmakers receive funds from the government or investors, we expect an audit report.
“An audit report will boost the government’s confidence in channelling more funds. Currently, there are allegations that some filmmakers receive, say, RM1 million in funding but only spend RM600,000 on the film. We hope to address such concerns,” he said.
Kamil also mentioned that Finas will focus on developing the film industry in Sabah and Sarawak under the 13MP.
“Based on roundtable discussions with Sabah filmmakers, they expressed a desire to develop the local film industry. We’re working to find a formula to create a more supportive environment for the industry in Sabah and Sarawak.
“One way is by increasing projects through collaboration and co-production between filmmakers in these states and those from Peninsular Malaysia or countries in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA),” he said.
Also present were Finas board members Yee I-Lann, Rozaidi Abdul Jamil (Zed Zaidi), and the President of the Kota Kinabalu Film and Video Association (KKFVA), Chester Pang.
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