Allow filming in green zones, say movie directors

 

The Film Directors Association of Malaysia has asked Finas to submit proposals on relaxing SOPs for the industry.

PETALING JAYA: The Film Directors Association of Malaysia (FDAM) has appealed to the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) to submit a proposal to the government to allow production companies to operate under the national recovery plan.

Its president, Ahmad Ibrahim, said this would help restore the livelihoods of more than 10,000 creative people in the industry, including freelancers who do not have any income or Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) savings or the protection offered by the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

He said FDAM had asked Finas to submit proposals to the National Security Council (MKN) and the health ministry to relax SOP requirements by allowing production teams to cross states and permit filming in green zones such as Perlis, Penang, Perak, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Sabah by the end of July at the latest.

Ahmad also said the health ministry must expedite a group immunisation programme for creative industry players as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

He said there were about 9,000 employees in the film, television and commercial industry who have yet to receive a vaccination appointment.

“FDAM recommends an immunisation programme for these workers in three phases.

“The first phase should be this month, the second in August and the third in September to allow them to start or resume filming that was halted following the implementation of MCO 3.0.”

Ahmad added that since MCO 1.0, many local film producers had to close shop because they could not cover operating costs after incurring debts and losing contracts and financial backers.

He said Finas should have ideas to help the industry, in line with the national recovery plan.

Ahmad also said that FDAM supported the call by the Malaysian Film Producers Association (PFM) to postpone the 31st Malaysian Film Festival. “In the current situation, film festivals are just a mere ‘decoration’ as they do not benefit industry players at the moment.”

Ahmad said Finas should think about how available funds for the festival could be used to help those in the creative industry. - FMT