Latest news with #AzmirSaifuddinMutalib
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Malaysia-HK firms team up to produce films for global stage
THE National Film Development Corporation (Finas) has lauded the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between prominent producers Skop Productions (Malaysia) and Mandarin Motion Pictures (Hong Kong) as a significant stride towards bolstering regional film collaboration. This MoU stems from the Malaysian delegation's participation in the Hong Kong Filmart last March, spearheaded by Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib. The initiative has paved the way for a joint production agreement aimed at creating new, internationally acclaimed cinematic works. Azmir emphasised the importance of this collaboration, saying that it "not only acts as a catalyst for stronger ties between the Malaysian and Hong Kong film industries, but also marks the first joint film endeavour following the official visit of the Chinese president to Malaysia last month". "This also serves to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations through cultural diplomacy," he added. Azmir also highlighted the significant investment support from Chinese government-linked entities, such as Bauhinia Cultural Group and Sil-Metropole Organisation. "This reflects the confidence of international investors in Malaysia's creative potential and the quality of our productions. "This strategic partnership will greatly benefit Malaysia's film industry ecosystem by facilitating market expansion, technology and skills transfer and positioning Malaysia as a premier global filming destination," he said in a recent Berita Harian report. Azmir said the project was supported by the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI), which offered a 30 per cent rebate for film and television productions filming within the country. "This collaboration aligns with the aspirations of the Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who underscores the importance of strategic partnerships, private sector investment and sustainable film financing for the growth of our national creative industry, ensuring it's not reliant on government funding. "Finas is confident that through the combined efforts of various stakeholders, Malaysia will continue to confidently and qualitatively make its mark on the global stage," he said.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
New event space sets stage for creative success
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's creative industry received a fresh boost with the launch of Idea Live Arena, which is expected to serve as a catalyst for regional entertainment, said National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib ( pic ). He said the Idea Live Arena, located at the 3 Damansara shopping mall here and with a capacity to accommodate up to 7,000 guests, would not only enhance Malaysia's ability to host large-scale events but also align with the nation's aspirations to position itself as a regional hub for the entertainment and creative industries. 'This venue is fully equipped with the latest facilities and has the potential to become a stage for international-scale concerts and exhibitions,' he said, reported Bernama. The venue was developed by Superstar Arena Holdings Sdn Bhd with an investment of RM40mil, involving structural upgrades, renovations, and the installation of world-class audio, lighting, and visual systems. Azmir said the launch of the venue coincides with the implementation of the new Concert and Event in Malaysia Incentives (CEMI) programme by the Communications Ministry, aimed at attracting more international events to Malaysia while supporting the organisation of local events. 'With the CEMI incentive, we hope that more organisers will bring international concerts and entertainment events to Malaysia, thereby boosting the economy through the tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors,' he said. Azmir added that the Idea Live Arena is already almost fully booked until the end of this year, reflecting strong demand for physical concerts and live events.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
M'sia-HK film pact benefits regional productions
KUALA LUMPUR: The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Malaysian film production company Skop Productions and Hong Kong's Mandarin Motion Pictures is seen as a strategic move to strengthen regional film cooperation. National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib said the partnership was highly significant as it not only serves as a catalyst for film industry relations but was also the first joint film initiative announced after the official visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia last month. 'This strengthens diplomatic and economic ties through a cultural diplomacy approach. 'The strategic partnership also receives investment support from Chinese government-linked companies such as Bauhinia Cultural Group (a government-linked film investment company) and Sil-Metropole Organisation (a company that manages film investments). 'It reflects the confidence of international investors in the country's creative potential and production quality,' he said. The MOU is a direct outcome of the Malaysian delegation's participation at Hong Kong Filmart last March, led by Finas, which resulted in a co-production agreement to produce a new international-class cinematic work. Azmir Saifuddin said the initiative would greatly benefit the country's film industry by facilitating market expansion, enabling technology and skills transfer, and promoting Malaysia as a premier filming destination on the global stage. 'In addition, this project is also supported through the Film in Malaysia Incentive, which offers a 30% cash rebate to film and TV productions filming in Malaysia.' The collaboration also aligns with the aspirations of Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who has emphasised the importance of strategic collaboration, private investment involvement and sustainable film financing to reduce reliance on government funding in the national creative industry. Azmir Saifuddin also expressed confidence that with collaboration between the public and private sectors, Malaysia would be able to make higher-quality strides on the global stage. One example of recent success is the film Blood Brothers: Bara Naga, co-produced by Skop Productions and Primeworks Studios, which grossed RM45mil within 11 days of its theatrical release. Mandarin Motion Pictures, renowned for its Ip Man franchise starring Hong Kong martial arts icon Donnie Yen, has also achieved tens of millions of ringgit in box office sales across Malaysia.
Barnama
13-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia-Hong Kong Film Pact A Strategic Move To Strengthen Regional Film Cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (Bernama) -- The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Malaysian film and production company, Skop Productions, and Mandarin Motion Pictures from Hong Kong has been deemed a strategic move in strengthening regional film cooperation. National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib said the partnership was highly significant as it not only served as a catalyst for film industry relations between Malaysia and Hong Kong, but was also the first joint film initiative announced following the official visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia last month. 'This strengthens diplomatic and economic ties through a cultural diplomacy approach. 'The strategic partnership also receives investment support from Chinese government-linked companies such as Bauhinia Cultural Group (a government-linked film investment company) and Sil-Metropole Organisation (a company that manages film investments), which reflects the confidence of international investors in the country's creative potential and production quality,' he said in a statement today. The MoU is a direct outcome of the Malaysian delegation's participation at Hong Kong Filmart last March, led by FINAS, which resulted in a co-production agreement to produce a new international-class cinematic work. Azmir Saifuddin said the initiative would greatly benefit the country's film industry ecosystem through market expansion, technology and skills transfer, and branding Malaysia as a world-class filming destination. 'In addition, this project is also supported through the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI), which offers a 30 per cent cash rebate to film and TV productions filming in Malaysia,' he said. He noted that the collaboration also aligns with the aspirations of Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who has emphasised the importance of strategic collaboration, private investment involvement, and sustainable film financing to reduce reliance on government funding in the development of the national creative industry. Azmir Saifuddin also expressed confidence that with collaboration between the public and private sectors, Malaysia would be able to make bolder and higher-quality strides on the global stage.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia-Hong Kong film pact to boost regional collaboration
KUALA LUMPUR: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Malaysian film and production company, Skop Productions, and Mandarin Motion Pictures from Hong Kong has been deemed a strategic move in strengthening regional film cooperation. National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib said the partnership was highly significant as it not only served as a catalyst for film industry relations between Malaysia and Hong Kong, but was also the first joint film initiative announced following the official visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia last month. 'This strengthens diplomatic and economic ties through a cultural diplomacy approach. 'The strategic partnership also receives investment support from Chinese government-linked companies such as Bauhinia Cultural Group (a government-linked film investment company) and Sil-Metropole Organisation (a company that manages film investments), which reflects the confidence of international investors in the country's creative potential and production quality,' he said in a statement today. The MoU is a direct outcome of the Malaysian delegation's participation at Hong Kong Filmart last March, led by FINAS, which resulted in a co-production agreement to produce a new international-class cinematic work. Azmir Saifuddin said the initiative would greatly benefit the country's film industry ecosystem through market expansion, technology and skills transfer, and branding Malaysia as a world-class filming destination. 'In addition, this project is also supported through the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI), which offers a 30 per cent cash rebate to film and TV productions filming in Malaysia,' he said. He noted that the collaboration also aligns with the aspirations of Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who has emphasised the importance of strategic collaboration, private investment involvement, and sustainable film financing to reduce reliance on government funding in the development of the national creative industry. Azmir Saifuddin also expressed confidence that with collaboration between the public and private sectors, Malaysia would be able to make bolder and higher-quality strides on the global stage. One example of recent success is the film Blood Brothers: Bara Naga, co-produced by Skop Productions and Primeworks Studios (PWS), which grossed RM45 million within just 11 days of its theatrical release. Meanwhile, Mandarin Motion Pictures, renowned for its Ip Man franchise starring Hong Kong martial arts icon Donnie Yen, has also achieved tens of millions of ringgit in box office sales across Malaysia.
