Malaysia Steps Up Content Efforts

SINGAPORE: At the Asia TV Forum today, the chairman of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) spoke about the Malaysian government’s "aggressive" efforts to expand the country’s content industry.

Datuk Md Afendi Datuk Hamdan led a delegation of some 50 companies to the ATF. At a networking lunch today, Hamdan noted that the Malaysian government is "aggressively enhancing its strategy to be able to target and capture a significant share" of the global entertainment business.

This strategy includes distributing a library of Malaysian content encompassing some 200 titles, stepping up co-pro efforts and promoting Malaysia as a filming location with a 30-percent cash rebate on productions that meet minimum budget requirements. He also discussed the upcoming Kuala Lumpur Communications & Creative Industry Mart (KLCCIM), slated to take place March 26 to 29. The event, targeted at TV, film, mobile, performing arts, music and visual arts executives, expects to attract 200 sellers and 300 buyers, Hamdan said.

The lunch also saw the announcement of a co-production between Malaysia’s Young Jump Animation and Spain’s Motion Pictures, together with Sample from Italy, for Pumpkin Reports. The 5 million euros-budgeted show will encompass 52 11-minute episodes, aimed at kids 6 to 10. It will be ready for broadcast at the end of 2014.