Kuala lumpur: The winner of the Best Film Category at the 34th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM) will receive support through the Creative Content Fund (DKK) amounting to RM1 million. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching announced this initiative as a gesture of the government's continued support for local filmmakers.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Teo Nie Ching expressed pride in the box office collection achieved this year, viewing it as a positive sign for the development of the national film industry. She emphasized the importance of increasing prize amounts to enable winners to produce high-quality films that could significantly impact the industry. This announcement was made during the FFM34 Opening Ceremony and Top 5 Announcement, where other notable figures such as the deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communications and Creative Industries) of the Ministry of Communications Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, and Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib were also present.
Teo highlighted the significance of this year for the national film and content industry, noting that the ministry plans to table amendments to the Finas Act 1981 and renew the National Film Policy to align with technological advances and the evolving creative ecosystem. She urged Finas to ensure that all film industry development policies are incorporated into both short-term and long-term planning to achieve the aspiration of making Malaysia a successful regional film hub.
Regarding FFM34, themed 'Creative Works, Dynamic Cinema', Teo noted the encouraging response it received, with 41 feature films, 26 short films, and 23 documentaries nominated during the nomination period from July 8 to 25. To honor the contributions of artistic figures who have shaped Malaysian cinema, Finas organized the Tribute Programme: Appreciation to National Veteran Film Figures, recognizing four Malaysian art activists: actresses Datin Rusnani Jamil, Ruminah Sidek, Datuk Rahim Razali, and Othman Hafsham.
The FFM34 Awards Night is scheduled to be held at Seri Angkasa Auditorium, Angkasapuri on November 1, hosted by actor Datuk Afdlin Shauki and Che Puan Sarimah Ibrahim. The event will be broadcast live on RTM TV2 and Finas YouTube.