JAKARTA: Malaysia is exploring opportunities for collaboration with Netflix to develop the country as a destination for post-production training in the film and creative industry.
Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said the proposal was among several areas of potential cooperation with representatives of the global streaming platform here today, including professional training and expanding opportunities for Malaysian talent.
"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.
"Netflix has traditionally viewed Malaysia as a filming destination, but we want to explore how it could also use the country for post-production," he told Bernama after the meeting.
Netflix was represented by Andrew Ure, its vice-president of global affairs for Asia-Pacific; its 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 Malaysian delegation included Malaysia's ambassador-designate to Indonesia Muzafar Shah Mustafa, MyCreative Ventures Group CEO Zainol Haqim Zainol Rashid, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) CEO Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib and Bernama deputy editor-in-chief (news services) Shukri Ishak.
Fahmi said discussions also covered Netflix’s selection process for films and productions, which could help Malaysian films, animation and intellectual property (IP) reach international audiences.
"This was my first discussion with Netflix, focusing on the creative economy, particularly the film and animation sectors.
"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.
"We want to understand Netflix’s mechanisms for selecting films and productions, whether for production in a particular country or for streaming," he said.
Fahmi said Netflix agreed to visit Kuala Lumpur to view the new Finas office, with further discussions to be held on potential cooperation. He said Finas hoped Netflix would consider holding some of its regional training programmes in Kuala Lumpur or other locations in Malaysia.
Fahmi arrived in Jakarta yesterday after attending Bali Tech Week. He is scheduled to remain in the Indonesian capital until tomorrow to attend the World Conference on Creative Economy.