RM958m film boom: Govt bets on FINAS to create jobs and make local stories global

Malaysia is positioning its film and audiovisual industry as a significant contributor to the national economy, with the government investing nearly RM958 million and creating over 12,800 job opportunities. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim opened the new FINAS Tower in Damansara to enhance the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia's (FINAS) capabilities and integrate various aspects of the country's film ecosystem.

This expansion aims to respond to rapid changes in digital content production, distribution, and consumption, while making the industry more agile and capable of adapting to new platforms and international markets. The 45th-anniversary of FINAS, held in 2026, celebrates the country's 80 years of film legacy. Malaysian films have seen a surge in audience support, with box-office returns and local cinema attendance increasing sharply.

The government emphasizes that this growth in the creative industry should translate into tangible benefits for Malaysians working in the sector, creating quality employment, widening access to opportunities, and improving the welfare of industry workers. The new FINAS Tower, built on a 5.14-acre site, includes sound-stage studios, a digital cinema, training spaces, production facilities, a film heritage museum, and 81,770 audiovisual archival materials.