Producer & Actor, Hans Isaac Shortlisted as FINAS Chairman

National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) as a central government agency for Malaysia’s film industry is eyeing for a new chairman to head the association and the actor turned producer and director,  may be the one they’re looking for.

Established since June 1981, FINAS is left with a vacancy of its head position after Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib who’s an Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Slim River resigned for his role following the change of government in this year’s General Election.  FINAS which has been mandated as a federal agency within the current portfolio of Ministry of Communication and Multimedia Malaysia, also oversees the productions of films in Malaysia by providing licenses and even funding such as the funds for local documentaries.

Aside from these services, FINAS also encourages new and fresh talents of filmmakers and writers with competitions like the Penyertaan Skrip Skrin 2018 looking for scripts from the public that are idealistic and creative to be translated into productions for documentaries, short films and PSA videos. The agency is however, not immune to backlash especially from filmmakers and film goers because of how the corporation is influenced by political affiliations when it comes to regulating films which caused more hardship to the development of a production and the finished product more so by censorship of the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia.

Hans Isaac known for his roles that cemented him as the early 2000’s Malaysian heartthrob from films like Buli Balik, Laila Isabella and Baik Punya Cilok then tried his hand at directing, writing and producing with 2008’s Cuci about window washers fighting for a big break in the form of a contract to wash the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and subsequently became a successfully musical staged at Istana Budaya. Hans had stated that he’d went for an interview for the chairman position at FINAS a few months ago and confirmed that he has been shortlisted for the duty but is not certain when the result will be announced.

Being part of the industry since the 90’s may give a different kind of perspective to FINAS having Hans chair the agency considering his experience as a creator who has went through the stages of applying to make films and this is apparent from his objective with regards to FINAS’ policies imposed on benefits like EPF and Socso for fellow artistes and production crew. Whatever the decision will be, it is hopeful that the future chairman of FINAS is one who will continue the corporation’s mission to position Malaysia as a privileged destination for National and International Productions and ensure that the industry is always expanding to include more unique renderings centering on Malaysian stories.

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Featured Image source: Cinema Online.