Jurey Latiff Rosli, Mohd Naguib Abdul Razak and Pansha Nallilah

8 Nov – The conflict involving the National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) and The Federation of Film Professionals Association of Malaysia (GAFIM) on the issue of organising the 25th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM25) has finally come to an end.

According to FINAS Director-General, Mohd Naguib Razak, a misunderstanding had occurred after GAFIM sent a report regarding organising FFM24 last year, but a consensus has been reached in a meeting held on 5 November between the two parties.

"The issue has been taken care of and both GAFIM and FINAS have agreed to cooperate in organising FFM25 and celebrating its silver jubilee this year.

"Honestly, it was not our intention to dismiss the role of GAFIM in co-organising FFM in the previous years.

"The purpose of the festival is to gather those in the industry under one roof, which is why I feel there is a need to sit down and resolve any issues being brought up," he said in a press conference announcing the co-operation on Tuesday afternoon.

Jurey Latiff Rosli, President of GAFIM, who was also present, told reporters that a consensus was reached after Mohd Naguib agreed with written claims by GAFIM.

"We have sent a letter to FINAS related to this issue. After meeting with them and the Malaysian Film Producers Association (PFM), they agreed with the letter and will implement what has been requested."

Jurey further explained that the request in the letter is not for his own interest, but to ensure FFM25, which will be held on 30 December, will have a successful run.

FINAS and GAFIM promises an event that will be better than last year's FFM24.

GAFIM had previously claimed that they were left out of taking part in organising FFM25 because FINAS would only work with PFM.

GAFIM is a coalition joined by 11 other associations which include PFM, Malaysian Artists Association (Seniman), Singers, Musicians and Composers Association of Malaysia (Papita), Film Directors Association of Malaysia (FDAM), and Malaysian Television Producers' Association (PTVM).

However, PFM was not part of GAFIM in 2011 as they had lost confidence in the management of the coalition before this.

Present at the press conference was President of Seniman, Zed Zaidi, Vice President of PFM, Datuk Yusof Haslam and Honorary Treasurer Pansha Nallilah.

FFM 25 is scheduled to be held at the Merdeka Hall, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC). A total of 25 films out of 70 that was screened from the period of 27 October 2011 to 30 October this year will contest among themselves after going through two rounds of screening process.