KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- Local film collections under the Compulsory Screening Scheme surged to RM253.31 million in 2025 compared to RM125.28 million in 2024, demonstrating a significant increase in audience acceptance of local works.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said that for this year, collections as of Aug 10 stood at RM111.83 million.
He said 2025 witnessed a proud achievement when Blood Brothers: Bara Naga emerged as the highest-grossing film under the Compulsory Screening Scheme, pulling in RM73.6 million.
Meanwhile, the animated film Papa Zola The Movie recorded collections of RM63.8 million, reflecting a positive audience reception toward local productions from different genres.
"The success of these two works from different genres carries a clear message: Malaysian audiences have confidence in local productions when we offer content that is high quality, competitive, and close to their hearts," he said in his speech at the inauguration ceremony of the FINAS Damansara Tower by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here, today.
Fahmi added that for 2026, five local films have so far surpassed the RM10 million collection mark, namely Ah Beng vs Liang Po Po, Malaikat Malam, Libang Libu, Tarung: Unforgiven, and Polong.
He said that an increase was also recorded in terms of the number of films screened through the Compulsory Screening Scheme, rising from 58 films in 2024 to 71 films in 2025.
For 2026, a total of 31 films have been screened as of July 2, while 80 films are targeted for screening in 2027.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the increase in collection and the number of local films was also supported by a growing audience size, rising from 5.87 million people in 2023 - accounting for 16.8 percent of overall cinema-goers - to 7.14 million people or 21.9 percent in 2024.
That figure jumped to 14.83 million viewers in 2025, equivalent to 36.5 percent of all cinema audiences.
Fahmi stated that for 2026, the cumulative audience for local films as of July has reached 6,099,245 people.
Meanwhile, he noted that the new headquarters of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), built on a 2.08-hectare (5.14-acre) site, has been fully operational since August 6 following a phased relocation.
According to him, the operation of the tower will strengthen FINAS's three core functions in advancing the film industry: the implementation of policies, funds, and incentives; licensing and facilitating enforcement; and the preservation of the nation's cinematic heritage through film and documentary archive management.
Also present were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Ministry of Communications Secretary General Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, FINAS Chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, FINAS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.
-- BERNAMA