FFM28: Finas to discuss ministry's decision today

The Malaysia National Film Development Corporation (Finas) will abide by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry's decision that participation in the Best Film Award category at the Malaysia Film Festival (FMM) in September be open to all film industry players in the country.

Finas director-general Datuk Kamil Othman said following the latest development, Finas would convene a board of directors meeting tomorrow to discuss the new directive.

"We will abide by the decision... tomorrow we will discuss in our board meeting to decide on the next step which include changes," he told Bernama when appearing in the Ruang Bicara programme on Bernama News Channel at Wisma Bernama here last night.

Communications and Multimedia minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak had said the ministry had also created a new category, the Best Film in the National Language, for the festival, organised by the Malaysia National Film Development Corporation (Finas).

Salleh had said the decision was made after taking into account the views and suggestions from all parties including the film industry players and members of the public.

Prior to this, various quarters including MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam had urged Finas not to separate the films in Bahasa Malaysia from those not in Bahasa Malaysia, submitted for competition at the FMM this time.

Some local film industry players had objected to the films 'Ola Bola' and 'Jagat' being nominated for the Best Film category during the FMM to be held in KLCC from Sept 1 to 3.