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KUALA LUMPUR: Enhancing fund disbursement mechanisms and raising the quality of local content are among the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia’s (Finas) key priorities this year as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s creative industry.

Its chairman Datuk Hans Isaac (pic) said Finas has set ambitious targets this year.

“If we achieve 70 to 80 per cent of our targets, that would already be considered good, but we need to set high standards from the outset,” he said in a press conference after the Ceria Ramadan and Chinese New Year 2026 programme here today.

He said improving fund disbursement mechanisms is a crucial step to ensure more industry players are given opportunities while also ensuring public funds are used prudently and result in quality content.

“We do not want to channel funding to companies if the content produced has yet to meet international standards. So, executive producers will be overseeing these funds to ensure high-quality content. When we spend our money, we want to make sure it is spent wisely,” he said.

The government has allocated RM110 million in incentive grants for local and international film producers under Budget 2026 and it includes RM10 million for the production of nation-building content to strengthen the national identity through creative media.

Hans said Finas is also prioritising efforts to review and update the national film policy to ensure it remains relevant to current developments in the creative industry.

He said Finas is also in discussions with cinema operators to improve existing structures and processes to ensure local films are given fairer screening opportunities in the domestic market.

Commenting on international investment, he said it remains a priority as it has a direct impact on employment opportunities within the local creative industry.

“When productions are brought into Malaysia, 20,000 to 25,000 creative industry players gain employment opportunities. If they can work for at least eight months a year, that would already meet our objectives,” he said.