FINAS to evaluate Compulsory Screening Scheme

The National Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) will evaluate new conditions for the Compulsory Screening Scheme before enforcement on July 1.

Its director-general, Datuk Kamil Othman said the newly-revised conditions would protect the quality of movies and have positive impact on society.

Bernama today reported that the move is expected to revive public confidence in films made by talented local directors.

Kamil also said FINAS would establish two film screening committees, including one comprising film practitioners from the agency, Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors and the Malaysian Film Producers Association.

“This committee will assess the quality of films for public screening,” he told Bernama here today.

“If they are not satisfied, the film will then be passed on to the second committee and if it meets the standards, the film company will be accorded the Compulsory Screening Scheme,” he added.

In the case where films did not obtain the compulsory screening scheme, Kamil said FINAS would recommend that the format be changed for video screening, so that the film could be sold to television stations or sent overseas.

"Who knows, producers who fail (to get the scheme) may succeed overseas," he said, adding that new film producers who failed to obtain the compulsory screening advantage could submit their appeal.

Under the Compulsory Screening Scheme, local cinemas need to screen local movies for a specific duration.

Meanwhile, Kamil said FINAS hoped there would be more local film critics, like in America.

"In the US, when a film is due to be screened and its posters or trailer videos are shown on the internet, film critics will come up with their criticism or suggestions.

"This could boost viewer confidence in local films as the comments of the film critics would be placed on the posters for publicity purposes, before they are screened in the cinemas," he said.