KUCHING: The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) is stepping up engagement with Sarawak’s creative industry as the agency prepares its 2026–2027 development plans, with a focus on collaboration and emerging technologies such as AI.
FINAS chairman Datuk Hans Isaac said the agency is currently gathering input from Sarawak’s creative ecosystem to better align future initiatives and support mechanisms with the state’s direction for the industry.
“We are looking at Sarawak and checking the direction together for 2026 and 2027, so the information we receive here is valuable because we can bring it back to the board and management and hopefully implement the necessary requirements for Sarawak,” he told reporters after attending the 2026 Pitching Session Preparation Workshop: Creative Industry Engagement Session in Sarawak at a hotel, here today (May 6).
He said closer collaboration between the federal and state governments could help strengthen the local creative ecosystem, particularly through matching financial initiatives and industry development programmes.
“We would like to see a state initiative matched with the federal side as well, similar to FIMI, FIMI 2.0 and FIMI Plus, to bring more productions to Sarawak,” he said.
He added that FINAS hoped to develop a structured proposal and engagement framework that could later be presented to both federal and Sarawak stakeholders for further collaboration.
Touching on concerns raised by some local filmmakers over what they described as insufficient industry support, Hans said the development of filmmakers should be viewed as a gradual process rather than through negative labels.
“Industry growth takes time and depends on continued support, exposure and self-improvement among filmmakers.
“That’s what FINAS is about. We are here to teach and support the industry to reach the level they want to achieve,” he said.
Meanwhile, producer and director Datuk Afdlin Shauki pointed to the success of Sarawak-born Hollywood filmmaker James Wan as proof that local talents are capable of competing on the global stage.
“Everyone here has the same opportunity to succeed. With FINAS support now available, take that opportunity and don’t waste it,” he said.
On the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in filmmaking, Afdlin described the technology as a positive development that could significantly reduce production costs if applied strategically and professionally.
“AI should not be treated as a shortcut, but rather integrated into proper production planning and workflow systems,” he said.
He said Hollywood productions had already demonstrated how AI-assisted workflows could significantly reduce production costs while maintaining quality standards.
Afdlin also encouraged industry players to continuously learn and adapt to AI-driven tools, warning that the technology would become increasingly unavoidable in the future creative landscape.
“You have to master AI. If not, AI will write you. Now, you need to write AI,” he added.
