Malaysia's FINAS Collabs With Neigbours

Malaysia is stepping up in the film co-production game. At the Taiwan Creative Content Fest, FINAS, Malaysia’s National Film Development Corp, shared plans to launch a funding scheme aimed at boosting collaborations with local filmmakers.

FINAS CEO Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib said the focus will be on “gap financing and matching funds,” set to officially launch next year.

Malaysia’s current incentive, the Film In Malaysia Incentive (FIMI), already offers a 30% cash rebate for local spending, with a 5% cultural bonus. It has supported 61 foreign productions, including Crazy Rich Asians and The Mandalorian, distributing $90 million to international films.

Indonesia has a similar initiative, the Indonesia Film Matchfund, which matches funds for co-productions backed by overseas agencies.

This $10 million fund has helped films like Crocodiles Tears and Tale Of The Land, both winners at major film festivals.

Turkey, through TRT Sinema’s 12 Punto program, offers script development and funding support, helping projects like Triangle Of Sadness, which won at Cannes.

The Philippines also runs the International Co-production Fund (ICOF), capped at $180,000 for features, and a 20% rebate on filming locations through the Film Location Incentive Program (FLIP).

All four countries are members of the Asian Film Alliance Network, or AFAN, a new coalition connecting Asia’s film agencies.

This growing network underscores a regional commitment to strengthening the Asian film industry through collaborative funding and shared resources.