Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is on the verge of finalizing a groundbreaking collaboration with a Japanese animation studio for an outsourcing project involving local animation production companies, as discussions have reached an advanced stage, stated National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) chief executive officer, Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Japanese side has already identified a Malaysian company for the collaboration, highlighting Malaysia's growing capabilities in 3D animation production that meets international standards. "There is an animation project from Japan, and we know that the Japanese industry rarely or never outsources their jobs outside Japan. Alhamdulillah, there will be one project for cinema release on animation through the Film In Malaysia Incentive (FIMI), which we will secure next week," he said during the Communications Ministry's monthly assembly.
The assembly was attended by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, and deputy editor-in-chief Mohd Shukri Ishak. Azmir Saifuddin emphasized that this development reflects the capability of Malaysia's 3D animation industry, which has now reached international standards.
The FINAS CEO explained that the collaboration would involve close engagement between the Japanese studio and the Malaysian production house, including discussions on production incentives offered by both countries. He mentioned that on the Japanese side, they are receiving a government rebate, while on the Malaysian side, the FINAS incentive is in place. However, details of the project remain undisclosed pending clearance from the Japanese studio regarding outsourcing arrangements.
In another development, Azmir Saifuddin noted that Malaysia's local creative industry continues to thrive, with last year's box-office collection of local films reaching RM240 million, marking the highest in the country's film industry history. He added that this year, five to six local films, including 'Tarung' and 'Libang Libur', have recorded earnings exceeding RM10 million.
Furthermore, FINAS, in collaboration with the industry, successfully secured an investment of RM1 billion for the next three years. Malaysia is increasingly recognized as an international filming hub, particularly for the largest reality program formats in Southeast Asia. In the animation sector, Malaysia remains a leader in the region, bolstered by the FIMI incentive.
On governance, Azmir Saifuddin revealed that FINAS has achieved a Clean Audit Certificate for its financial statements for five consecutive years. He added that over the past two years, FINAS has increased its revenue and augmented the organization's reserves following an audit reprimand in 2022.