KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 — The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) today launched Projek Sinema: Pencetus Aspirasi Filem Malaysia, a 16-day intensive programme aimed at developing new talent in the country’s creative content industry.

The four-week programme, running from Sept 7 to Oct 1, is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and the realities of the film industry by giving participants hands-on exposure to various stages of production, from pre-production to post-production.

The programme covers idea development, scriptwriting, acting, directing, cinematography, producing and marketing, as well as guidance on submitting work to international film festivals.

A total of 24 participants were selected from 49 applications and will receive structured training and mentorship across four key areas of filmmaking.

During the first week, participants will focus on idea development and scriptwriting under mentors Mira Mustaffa and Maizura Ederis.

The second week will focus on acting, with Sherie Merlis and Bella Rahim as mentors, followed by directing and cinematography in the third week under Ghaz Abu Bakar and Nik Amir Mustapha.

The final week will cover producing, with Lyn Nasihin and Denes Kumar serving as mentors.

The programme will also strengthen participants’ technical and creative skills while exposing them to industry practices including project development, production and market strategies.

The 24 participants will be divided into six groups, with each group tasked with producing a short film as the programme’s final project.

Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac said programmes such as this were important in developing the next generation of Malaysian filmmakers.

“This is something very important — the development of filmmakers.

“The intention of a project like this is key to developing our industry.

“We want new filmmakers and we want to know where these filmmakers are going,” he said.

“We can help, we can fund, and the government can provide opportunities for young people to develop themselves in the creative industry.

“But we also want you to develop yourselves into filmmakers who are not the norm.

“The reality of a programme like this is the reality of the industry and the reality of what you are taught.

“There are two separate mindsets.

“One is what you are taught technically, by the book.

“Another is, once you know the basics, what you want to do with them.

“It is about stepping out of the box and trying something new.

“The foundation is very important to filmmakers,” he added.

The programme will take place at Menara MyIPO in Petaling Jaya.

Isaac also said that after completing the programme, participants would be placed with production houses under the Dana Kandungan Kreatif (DKK) to gain hands-on experience working alongside industry professionals.