Latest news with #SkopProductions
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Time for more Malaysian films to be screened abroad
SYAFIQ Yusof has praised his father, Datuk Yusof Haslam, for his persistent efforts to screen their film, 'Blood Brothers: Bara Naga', in Southeast Asian countries. According to the 33-year-old filmmaker, it is high time for Malaysian films to reach broader regional audiences and move beyond traditional markets like Singapore and Brunei. "If we look at the film market in Malaysia, we operate an open market concept, allowing films from any country to enter, particularly those from Thailand and Indonesia," Syafiq told Harian Metro. "However, gaining entry for our films into other countries' markets can be different. What's important is that our local artistic work has been successful in Malaysia, and I am grateful for that. It is the success of this film that has given us the confidence to take 'Blood Brothers' abroad to several Southeast Asian countries," he added. Syafiq believes there is nothing wrong with attempting to introduce Malaysian films to foreign markets, regardless of the outcome. He said that the decision taken by Skop Productions, his father's company, is the correct one. The film, co-directed by Syafiq and Abhilash Chandra, premiered in Cambodian cinemas on May 27. It will then be released in Thailand in June, followed by Vietnam and Indonesia. "My hope is that this film will continue to be well-received by international audiences," he said. Beyond its Malaysian release, 'Blood Brothers' is also being screened in Singapore and Brunei.
New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Blood Brothers: Bara Naga' gets novelised
KUALA LUMPUR: Skop Productions, in collaboration with WhiteCoat Group, has transformed its cinematic blockbuster, Blood Brothers: Bara Naga, into a novel. Datuk Yusof Haslam, founder and head of the film production house, stated that this move wasn't new for him, recalling that his popular 1990s movie Sembilu was also novelised. "Blood Brothers: Bara Naga, directed by my son Syafiq and his friend Abhilash Chandra, makes history by transitioning from a film to a novel," said Yusof at the novel's launch at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, last Sunday. "Just like when Sembilu was screened, we turned it into a novel, and as far as I remember, about 30,000 copies of that novel were produced." Blood Brothers: Bara Naga, which premiered on April 10, has earned RM62 million in 20 days, making it one of the country's top-selling films. Yusof explained that novelising Blood Brothers was a good idea, as not everyone enjoys watching films. He extended his gratitude to authors Dr. Anwar Fazal and Amshida Ahmad Rani for "doing a great job." "Dr. Anwar is my nephew and he is also a songwriter for Syafiq's films," he added. Syafiq expressed his hope that the novel would be well-received by readers, adding, "Congratulations Dr. Anwar, I hope this novel will be a great success." Anwar and Amshida completed the novel in two weeks.
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
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.
