KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s national film industry has garnered investment commitments totalling RM486 million through the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FiMI) at MIPCOM 2025, the world’s largest content market held in Cannes last October, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi said that these investments are anticipated to create up to 1,500 jobs for local industry professionals and generate an estimated economic return of RM1.66 billion, Bernama reported.
“I have instructed the Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) CEO and chairman to prepare next year’s strategic plan so that promotional and investment-attraction efforts can be carried out more comprehensively,” he said.
The minister made these comments while concluding the debate on the FINAS (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was subsequently passed by the Dewan Rakyat with a majority voice vote today.
Fahmi also announced that the government has allocated RM110 million for FiMI in the upcoming year, which provides a 30 per cent rebate for productions filmed in Malaysia, along with an additional five per cent rebate for incorporating local cultural elements.
“FiMI is a highly competitive incentive. Many Southeast Asian countries offer beautiful locations, so we are competing healthily within the region,” he remarked.
Additionally, Fahmi clarified that there are no plans to impose film-production requirements, filming certificates, or FINAS permits on influencers or podcasters, nor will licensing rules for OTT (over-the-top) streaming platforms be introduced at this stage.
He revealed that the Communications Ministry is in the process of updating the National Film Policy in light of the recent amendment to the FINAS Act 1981. The aim is to bolster industry development, governance, and enforcement without stifling creative freedom.
“The amendment will broaden the regulatory scope to include new technologies, such as digital platforms, while subsidiary regulations will be adjusted to offer clearer protections for industry workers. This includes welfare, standard contracts, job security, payment terms, and production safety,” Fahmi added.
“Through this amendment, regulations and subsidiary legislation under the principal Act will also be amended to ensure policy coherence and to support the direction and vision of FINAS as the leader of the national film industry and a catalyst for the development of local creative content.” – December 3, 2025