The MADANI Creative Youth Programme aims to equip Malaysian youth with the knowledge and skills to produce high-quality creative content through various film-making development activities. Photo by Ron Lach @ Pexels
Under the 2025 Malaysia Budget, RM30 million has been allocated for the implementation of the MADANI Creative Youth Programme.
The programme, which is expected to be carried out for a period of two years, aims to draw about 16,000 youths to explore areas of the arts, especially film-making.
As a means to also boost the production of high-quality creative content in the country, it will feature various activities such as film community development, short film competitions and workshops on videography skills for creative content.
Industry players and local film-makers have welcomed the initiative, calling it a crucial step in nurturing young talents, and generating new employment opportunities and entrepreneurship in the arts and cultural sector, whether in visual arts, music, theatre or animation besides film.
For Malaysia as a whole, making further investment in its arts and cultural sector not only supports its endeavour in becoming a hub for creative arts in the ASEAN region, but also helps boost awareness of its significance in its socio-economic development.
“This is the first time FINAS (Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia; National Development Corporation Malaysia) and the creative industry development programme received the attention and focus towards assisting young content creators who have a high level of creativity, be guided and mentored throughout the country.
“Among other focuses is cultivating identity, love for the country and most importantly being able to generate the economy of the youth through their content production.
“Youth is the next generation that will colour our creative industry. Therefore, engagement with the youth group is important which is a future investment in the country,” said FINAS Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Azmir Saifuddin bin Mutalib in a statement, as quoted by Bernama.

Why Film-making Matters
According to the British Council’s Cultural Cities Profile on Malaysia, film, television or audiovisual is just one area that defines the country’s “diverse, fast-changing and increasingly inter-disciplinary” arts and cultural portfolio, alongside design and the wider creative industries; visual arts and crafts; performing arts; literature; and contemporary music.
It is also a robust industry that caters to a culturally diversified target market, and in recent years has grown as not only an important player in digital animation globally, but also a centre for post-production.
From P. Ramlee to Yasmin Ahmad, Malaysia boasts some of the most successful film-makers capable of producing critically acclaimed works and box office hits. In 2023, for instance, some feature films have garnered awards during the international film festival circuit, whether directed by veterans such as Tan Chui Mui and Dain Said or first-timers like Amanda Nell Eu and Jin Ong.
However, most of these accomplishments are found abroad, given that movie theatres back home are dominated by films from Hollywood, Bollywood and ethnic Chinese imports, while local ones remain underperformed.
The film industry is especially in need of policies which can aid the establishment of a sustainable ecosystem and thriving environment that enable consistent high-quality content production.
This in turn can tackle the many challenges it faces, including, among many others, inadequate funds and capital, subpar script quality, intense competition for airtime, and narrative flaws.
As such, while the MADANI Creative Youth Programme offers a chance for young content creators to be part of the local film industry, more long-term efforts need to be undertaken to guarantee a place for existing and emerging creative talents to produce their films locally rather than seeking opportunities overseas.
Furthermore, film-making should be seen beyond a career or educational field. As a learning tool, young people can benefit greatly by harnessing their creativity and expressing their perspectives through visuals and sounds.

When introduced early in their lives, they can improve a whole lot of soft skills through film-making – skills that can be transferable afterwards when they further their studies and join the workforce, such as reading, writing and understanding diverse narratives; critical thinking; decision making; problem solving; and leadership.
Because film-making usually involves working with people with different roles – producers, writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, editors and many more – the experience also encourages collaboration and teamwork.
Most importantly, as they expose themselves through different forms of storytelling by making films, young people can enhance their ability to communicate and discern various types of media, allowing them to work in fields apart from film-making, including journalism and media; advertising and public relations; publishing and education; and arts administration.
In short, film-making for young people benefits more than just their creativity and self-expression. As daunting as the process can be, the practical nature of film-making provides a unique experience for them to grow as both storytellers and members of society.
A Snapshot of Malaysian Films in Recent Years
Abang Adik (2023; dir.: Jin Ong):
Barbarian Invasion (2021; dir.: Tan Chui Mui):
Harum Malam (2023; dir.: Dain Said):
Prebet Sapu (2020; dir.: Muzzamer Rahman):
Tegkang (2024; dir.: Josh Nawan): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kZ4ecNyOFM
Tiger Stripes (2023; dir.: Amanda Nell Eu):
References:
2025 Budget Official Website. (2024, November 1). Laman Khas Belanjawan 2025. https://belanjawan.mof.gov.my/en/
Adobe. (n.d.). Teaching kids animation and film production: a guide to creative activities and resources. https://www.adobe.com/my_en/creativecloud/video/discover/Introducing-Filmmaking-and-Animation-for-Kids.html
BERNAMA. (2024, October 19). MADANI Creative Youth Program Proof Of Govt’s Commitment Towards Promoting Creative Industry. https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2353698
Funding to nurture young artistes. (2024, October 19). The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/10/19/funding-to-nurture-young-artistes
Haley, T. (2024, October 23). Youth Filmmaking: a powerful tool for student development. Octane Seating. https://octaneseating.com/blog/film-educational-benefits/
Local Films Achievement Data (n.d.). FINAS. https://www.finas.gov.my/en/industry-information/data-pencapaian-filem-malaysia-antarabangsa/
Malaysia – Country Overview; Cultural Cities Profile – East Asia. (2021). British Council. https://www.britishcouncil.my/sites/default/files/malaysia_cultural_cities_profile_malaysia.pdf
NYFA. (2023, October 31). The Filmmaking Process for Beginners. New York Film Academy. https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/the-beginners-guide-to-the-filmmaking-process/
Rahida Aini, M. I., & Teoh, J. (2024, November 11). Unleashing Potential: Policy insights for Malaysia’s creative industries – Penang Institute. https://penanginstitute.org/publications/issues/unleashing-potential-policy-insights-for-malaysias-creative-industries/
The University of St Andrews. (n.d.). Why study Film Studies. https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/film-studies/prospective/ug/why/