ASEAN Film & TV Summit and ASEAN On Screen debut at 8th MIFFest

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ASEAN Film & TV Summit and ASEAN On Screen debut at 8th MIFFest

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Writer: Ann Tan

Spotlighting on Southeast Asian storytelling

25 Jul - The ASEAN Film & TV Summit 2025 officially kicked off with its Opening Ceremony at the 8th Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest), officiated by the Ministry of Communications and FINAS (National Film Development Corporation Malaysia).

This was followed by ASEAN Film & TV Summit - ASEAN On Screen panel discussions, spotlighting Southeast Asian storytelling while promoting regional collaboration and cross-cultural creative dialogue.

MIFFest President Joanne Goh with Festival ambassadors Bront Palarae and Daiyan Trisha

FINAS, supported by the Ministry of Communications, proudly spearheaded the ASEAN Film & TV Summit 2025. Held alongside the 8th MIFFest, this landmark initiative highlights Malaysia's leadership in championing Southeast Asian creative collaboration and nurturing the region's cultural economy through strategic platforms of dialogue, exchange and celebration.

Taking centre-stage at MIFFest, the ASEAN Film & TV Summit and its flagship programme, ASEAN On Screen, mark a milestone initiative aligning with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship 2025. As Malaysia steps forward as host nation during this significant year, which also marks the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN Community's formal establishment, this initiative underscores the country's commitment to nurturing regional creative industries.

Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, FINAS CEO

Datuk Kamil Othman, MIFFest Advisor

ASEAN On Screen: Elevating Southeast Asian Narratives
A dedicated programme celebrating Southeast Asian films, ASEAN On Screen is positioned as a key pillar of the ASEAN Film & TV Summit. The programme places regional narratives at MIFFest's forefront, fostering cross-border collaboration, co-production opportunities, and creative exchange through purpose-driven storytelling.

Together, the ASEAN Film & TV Summit 2025 and ASEAN On Screen aim to:

Strengthen ASEAN cohesion through policy dialogue and cultural collaboration
Promote regional content and talents to global audiences
Encourage co-productions, industry partnerships, and knowledge exchange
Celebrate unique Southeast Asian narratives that deserve wider international recognition

Summit Launch and Keynote Panels
The event began with a welcome speech by MIFFest President Joanne Goh, followed by the first panel session, "Beyond Borders: Funding Pathways and Development Strategies by ASEAN Film Agencies."

Featuring speakers from Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, including FINAS CEO and moderated by MIFFest advisor Dato' Kamil Othman, the session explored how regional film agencies can strengthen cross-border collaboration.

The Opening Ceremony began with the arrival of Deputy Minister of Communications, YB Teo Nie Ching. Guests stood for the Malaysian national anthem, Negaraku, followed by the ASEAN theme song, "Our Land, Our Home." Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, FINAS CEO, delivered a welcome speech, followed by Deputy Minister YB Teo Nie Ching's officiating speech, who officially launched the ASEAN Film & TV Summit 2025.

In her speech, YB Teo Nie Ching remarked, "It is my great honour to be here today to officiate this timely and forward-looking initiative, especially as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025. Our Chairmanship theme, 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' reflects our commitment to building a region that leaves no one behind, embracing shared growth, empowering diverse voices, and advancing collective prosperity."

YB Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications Malaysia

Afternoon Dialogues and Industry Insight
The summit continued with dynamic panel discussions drawing filmmakers, producers, and thought leaders from across the region and beyond. Highlights included:

"From Local to Global," examining immersive technologies and how ASEAN is building a future-ready creative ecosystem

"Cinematic Frontiers: Innovation, Infrastructure & Collaboration in ASEAN Film," discussing how producers bring local stories to international platforms

"Cinema in Flux: Finding the Right Story," featuring filmmakers from Korea, Indonesia, and Hong Kong on navigating artistic voice in an evolving media landscape

Notable speakers included Lee Dong-Ha, South Korean producer of "Train To Busan"; Lee Sang-Hoon, director of "Family Secrets," screening at MIFFest ahead of its Korean release; and Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, acclaimed Vietnamese producer of "The Third Wife" and "Glorious Ashes."

ASEAN On Screen Cocktail Reception
The evening culminated in the ASEAN Film & TV Summit | ASEAN On Screen Welcome Cocktail Reception, bringing together regional creatives, diplomats, and industry leaders for cinematic celebration and connection.

"In conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, we are proud to present ASEAN On Screen as a key part of the ASEAN Film & TV Summit. This initiative, supported by the Ministry of Communications and FINAS, celebrates the richness of Southeast Asian cinema while fostering meaningful dialogue on collaboration, identity, and our shared future," said Joanne Goh, President of MIFFest.

As the 8th MIFFest continues, the ASEAN Film & TV Summit and ASEAN On Screen stand as powerful platforms for uniting regional storytellers, advancing the creative economy, and reaffirming Malaysia's role as a leading connector for Southeast Asian cinema on the global stage.

These programmes reflect FINAS's commitment to strengthening ASEAN cohesion through cultural diplomacy, policy innovation, and regional partnerships.

Cinema Online, 25 July 2025

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