Film director Ahmad Idham named new Finas CEO

NATIONAL Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) has a new Chief Executive Officer, and he is none other than director Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri (pic). His appointment was announced by Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo via a press release.

According to the statement, Ahmad’s appointment began on March 11, and will end two years later.

The UiTM graduate has been in the entertainment industry since 1993, starting out as an actor. But he truly made his mark in the industry as a director having helmed films such as Tipah Tertipu The Movie, Remp-It, Mr Cinderella and the 2007 horror flick Jangan Pandang

Belakang.

Ahmad Idham is replacing Shakib Ahmad Shakir who has been Finas CEO for the past four months.

Gobind stated: “I hope the new CEO will serve to increase Finas’s efforts to further our film industry. I also hope Finas board members will work together with Ahmad Idham to achieve the government’s goals.”

In related news, the prestigious Malaysia Film Festival (FFM)

returns for its 30th edition on March 30, it announced at a press conference last week. FFM, regarded as Malaysia’s equivalent to the Oscars, will see 42 films competing across 24 categories including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Film.

The top five nominees of each category will be announced some time this week.

Among the films in competition are last year’s box office sensations Munafik 2, Paskal: The Movie, Hantu Kak Limah as well as Pulang, Guang, One Two Jaga

and The Kid From The Big Apple 2: Before We Forget.

Three special awards will also be given out during the ceremony – Box Office Film, Behind The Scenes Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.

FFM-30 was expected to be held at the end of last year. FFM director Abd Khalid Maulod explained the reason for the award ceremony‘s delay: “The Finas board of directors were not appointed yet at that time. Only after their appointment could the approval for FFM be given.”

FFM is organised by Finas, Ministry of Communications And Multimedia and 11 film bodies. FFM-30 will be held at Dewan Plenary, Putrajaya International Convention Centre on March 30.

Watch the live telecast at 9pm on Astro Ria (Ch 104).