KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — The Communications Ministry today announced an allocation of RM13 million for Tamil creative industry practitioners through the Creative Content Fund 2024 under the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas).
In a Facebook post, written in Bahasa Malaysia and Tamil, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said this fund is one of the five key outcomes decided at a meeting with the Malaysian Tamil Artiste Association, which she chaired earlier today.
“The RM13 million allocation under Finas will cover five categories, namely the Script Development Fund, First Time Amateur Filmmaker Fund, TV Programmes Fund, National Documentary Fund, and Co-Pro Fund. Applications will open in September 2024,” she said in the post.
She added that other decisions included the expansion of the “Thaalam Programme” recordings for radio channel Minnal FM under RTM, thus providing opportunities for artistes in six selected states.
“The airtime for local songs on Minnal fm will also be increased. Currently, 450 minutes of local songs are aired weekly, and this will be raised to 1,005 minutes from November 1, 2024,” she added.
Teo also announced the Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute (IPPTAR) will conduct two more courses and one workshop for local Tamil media practitioners and artistes next year, along with the implementation of the “ACE Workshop” by MyCreative Ventures in six locations from September.
“My call to action is for industry practitioners to seize this opportunity and apply for initiatives introduced by the ministry,” she said.
She added that the meeting was a follow-up to a question raised by MIC vice-president and Senator Datuk R. Nelson on April 4 in the Dewan Negara.
Also present at the meeting were Batu MP and Malaysia Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) Special Task Force Committee chairman M. Prabakaran, state executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication V. Papparaidu, Buntong assemblyman M. Thulsi, Kota Kemuning assemblyman S. Preakas, and representatives from agencies under the Communications Ministry such as Finas, RTM, Puspal, IPPTAR, MyCreative Ventures, besides representatives from Mitra and Astro.
— Bernama
