Credit : Fahmi Fadzil's X
JAKARTA, October 21 – Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil has met Netflix’s Asia-Pacific global affairs chief on the sidelines of the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) in Jakarta, pressing for more Malaysian films, talent and intellectual property (IP) to reach international audiences through the streaming giant.
In a post shared on X on Wednesday, Fahmi said he met Andrew Ure, Netflix’s Vice President of Global Affairs for Asia-Pacific, “to discuss how we can bring more Malaysian works, talent and intellectual property to the international market.”
Fahmi said Malaysia already had a strong foundation to attract international productions through the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI), “including a 30 per cent cash rebate for qualifying productions.” He noted that this year, The Big Fix was also filmed in Penang, “opening up more opportunities for the local workforce and creative ecosystem.”
“We also want more Malaysian works to go further. Upin & Ipin has proven that local intellectual property can cross borders, while Kisah Bawah Tanah by Animasia Studio is now also finding audiences through Netflix,” he wrote.
According to the minister, the two sides discussed co-productions, talent development, post-production and documentaries, as well as closer cooperation between the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) and Netflix. “We have the talent, we have the stories and we have strong intellectual property. Now is the time for us to share more Malaysian stories with the world,” he said.
Speaking to Bernama after the meeting, Fahmi said Malaysia wanted to work with Netflix particularly on post-production training. “We want to collaborate with Netflix, particularly in post-production training, and create more opportunities for Malaysian professionals, including editors, colour graders and others working in the field,” he said, adding that Netflix had traditionally viewed Malaysia as a filming destination and that Malaysia wanted to explore how the platform could also use the country for post-production.
Fahmi described it as his first discussion with Netflix focused on the creative economy, particularly film and animation, and said talks also covered how the platform selects films and productions. “We have significant potential to bring Malaysian IP and creative works to international markets, potentially through a more accessible route than theatrical distribution in foreign countries,” he told Bernama.
Netflix was represented by Ure, Global Affairs Director for Southeast Asia Ruben Hattari, Global Affairs Senior Manager for Southeast Asia Sarut Wittayarunggruangsri and Head of Public Affairs for Asia-Pacific Ryan Rahardjo, the news agency reported. The Malaysian delegation included Malaysia’s Ambassador-designate to Indonesia Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa, MyCreative Ventures Group Chief Executive Officer Zainol Haqim Zainol Rashid and FINAS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib.
Fahmi said Netflix had agreed to visit Kuala Lumpur to view FINAS’ new office, with further discussions on potential cooperation expected. FINAS also hopes Netflix will consider holding some of its regional training programmes in Kuala Lumpur or elsewhere in Malaysia.
Fahmi arrived in Jakarta on October 20 after attending Bali Tech Week and is scheduled to remain in the Indonesian capital until October 22 for the WCCE, during which he is also holding bilateral meetings with his Indonesian counterparts on creative industry cooperation.
Source : Fahmi Fadzil’s X (https://x.com/fahmi_fadzil/status/2112836961279053977)
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