PETALING JAYA: The local animation scene has much to celebrate with RM30mil allocated to boost the industry.

       Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the funds would be channelled through Matching Investment Loan Scheme for the country’s animation platform under MyCreative Ventures so that more Malaysian animation films could be marketed overseas.

       This is in line with the success of animation films, especially in 2019 when local releases raked in big money at the Malaysian box office, namely Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal (RM26.2mil); BoBoiBoy Movie 2 (RM29.57mil); and Ejen Ali The Movie (RM30.05mil).

       These titles not only garnered interest locally but also overseas.

       Malaysian animation artists are in demand by overseas companies such as Pixar and Walt Disney Studios.

       “I think it’s a very good budget for the creative industry, especially in terms of the emphasis on producing more animation content, which I think is a good strategy,” said Datuk Norman Abdul Halim, president and CEO of KRU Group Of Companies that had produced animated films such as Ribbit (2014) and Wheely (2018).

       “When it comes to animation content, it is easier for export and market penetration.

       “This will also create high-paying jobs for Malaysians who are involved in the production of animation content,” he said.

       Usamah Zaid Yasin – the CEO of WAU Animation and writer-director of Ejen Ali – said: “To receive such an acknowledgement is very humbling, and is definitely a testament to how far our efforts and hard work have taken us.

       “We are grateful for the allocation as it will provide a much-needed relief to the industry that has suffered severely because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hopefully, this will help the industry recover in a timely manner and lead us to more future successes.”

       However, Burhanuddin Md Radzi, the managing director of Les’ Copaque Production that is behind the Upin & Ipin franchise, was not too convinced.

       “Since this is on a loan basis, I think not many people in the animation industry will want to take the risk.

       “It’s OK if you are confident that your film will make back the money you borrowed, but if it doesn’t, then what do you do?

       “Our last film Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal cost us close to RM20mil to produce.

       “Upin & Ipin is well established already, so we could get the returns.

       “But for animation studios that are just starting out, they need to have a big budget in order to produce high quality work that meets international standards.

       “And the project must be successful on the home front first before it can be marketed overseas. If it’s not successful domestically, how are you going to get back the money you spent?” said Burhanuddin.