KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA December 19, 2025 – The Malaysian Senate has passed the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Amendment) Bill 2025, a move aimed at modernizing the regulatory framework for the country’s film and creative content industry.
The bill, tabled by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil on Thursday, focuses on keeping the sector aligned with rapid technological advancements and the evolving digital content landscape. It emphasizes three key areas: industry development, enhanced governance, and strengthened functions and enforcement mechanisms.
According to the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), the amendments will help build a more professional, transparent, and competitive ecosystem. This includes bolstering FINAS’s role as the primary regulator and facilitator for the industry, ensuring better compliance and support for commercial filmmaking activities.
Addressing public concerns, FINAS clarified that the bill does not extend to regulating social media content. Additionally, over-the-top (OTT) platforms and video-on-demand (VOD) services are currently exempt from licensing requirements. “The amendments are not intended to curb creativity but to safeguard the welfare of creative professionals and ensure adherence to laws in commercial film operations,” FINAS stated in its media release.
The drafting process involved extensive consultations, with over 50 engagement sessions held with stakeholders including industry associations, production companies, television stations, OTT platforms, higher education institutions, and relevant ministries and technical agencies. This collaborative approach underscores the MADANI Government’s commitment to incorporating real-world industry needs and challenges.
FINAS expressed confidence that the updated act will serve as a catalyst for a sustainable, high-integrity, and globally competitive Malaysian film ecosystem, in line with the nation’s broader creative economy goals.
The bill’s passage marks a significant step in adapting Malaysia’s creative sector to digital-era demands, potentially boosting local talent and international collaborations while maintaining regulatory balance.
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