COMMUNICATIONS Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that workers in the film sector, including freelancers, will receive mandatory protection from the Social Security Organisation (Socso), including pension benefits.

He said the scheme will enable workers in the film industry, many of whom face difficulties in terms of social security, including pension issues, to enjoy adequate protection.

Fahmi said the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) had been asked to hold in-depth discussions with Perkeso to facilitate the implementation of the scheme as soon as possible.

“For the cast and crew, their hands, legs and bodies are the tools for their work. Should anything happen, the repercussions are for life,” he said.

He was speaking to journalists after attending the “Spotlight: Apresiasi Sinema Malaysia Tahun 2023” programme which recognises production companies and industry players who have made significant contributions to the national and international film industry

Fahmi also urged Finas to prioritise four aspects – scriptwriting, the pitching processes, marketing and distribution to ensure local films are of quality and for the advancement of the film sector.

He said Finas has outlined several focuses for the film industry, including enhancing economic competitiveness through investment, financing and marketability through a new ecosystem model, as well as strengthening human capital professionalism through job scopes, income and welfare.

Fahmi said amendments to the Finas Act 244 and the National Film Policy are currently being updated to make the national film industry competitive and globally recognised.

He said that the cabinet reshuffle on December 12 demonstrated the government’s confidence in the film industry as one of the contributors to the country’s creative and cultural economy, accounting for approximately 1.9% or RM28.7 billion of the Gross Domestic Product and employing over half a million people.

He also said that the production of films with diverse cultural, ethnic and tourism content also has the potential to generate domestic investments.

“The impact of promoting Malaysia through films, taking into account Visit Malaysia Year 2026, is to attract 26.1 million foreign tourists with an estimated domestic expenditure of RM97.6 billion,” he said.

In terms of international trade, Fahmi said the production cooperation mission between Malaysia and China should be sealed in conjunction with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations in 2024, adding that it serves as a strategic platform to penetrate the RM27 billion Chinese film market.

He also said that box office revenue for local films this year amounted to RM98.8 million for 56 film screenings.

Among the productions that contributed to this were “Coast Guard” directed by the late Pitt Haniff, “Imaginur” directed by Nik Amir Mustapha, the animated film “Didi and Friends” by Akmal Aziz Asmawi and Roshfaizal Ariffin, “Polis Evo 3” by Syafiq Yusof, “Rahsia” by Shamyl Othman and “Malbat: Misi Bakara” by Adrian Teh. – Bernama, 20 December 2023