On March 7, 2005, National Film Development Corp. Malaysia (Finas) Chairman Datuk Abdul Aziz Rahman urged Malaysian feature, documentary and animation filmmakers to look toward making films that appeal to an international market, reports BERNAMA. The Malaysian tends to make films that appeal to specific local tastes, which make quick profits.
Abdul Aziz said, "Most of them (movie producers) never think that messages conveyed to the audience should be given priority".
Culture, Arts and Heritage minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim announced last month that the ministry would provide funding to local filmmakers.
In addition, Abdul Aziz said 11 film distributors led by Finas would join Hong Kong International Film and Television Market 2005 (HK Filmart 2005) to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre at Wanchai from March 22-25. These companies include Grand Brilliance Sdn Bhd, Metrowealth Movies Production Sdn Bhd, Inspedia Sdn Bhd, Multimedia Development Corporation, Media Space Dist Sdn Bhd, EL Videographic Sdn Bhd, Tenview Sdn Bhd, Ambang Entertainment, Makmur Megah Sdn Bhd, Wayang Tinggi Group Sdn Bhd and I-Insan Multimedia Sdn Bhd.
"We are going to have some 51 titles (in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Arabic) to be showcased at the Filmart. Most of them are animations," he said.
A total of 300 international film and TV producers from 25 countries are expected to participate in the Filmart.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
