The ASEAN Film & TV Summit 2025 officially commenced with an Opening Ceremony held during the 8th Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest), officiated by the Ministry of Communications and the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS). The event was followed by a series of panel discussions under the ASEAN Film & TV Summit and ASEAN On Screen, highlighting the richness of Southeast Asian storytelling while promoting regional collaboration and cross-cultural dialogue.
FINAS, with the support of the Ministry of Communications, proudly spearheaded the ASEAN Film & TV Summit 2025. Held in conjunction with MIFFest, this landmark initiative reflects Malaysia’s leadership in championing Southeast Asian creative collaboration and strengthening the region’s cultural economy. Through dialogue, exchange, and celebration, it aims to build meaningful connections within the ASEAN creative industries.
This year, the ASEAN Film & TV Summit and its flagship programme, ASEAN On Screen, took centre stage at MIFFest. Their debut aligns with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, which also marks the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN Community. This initiative underscores Malaysia’s commitment to advancing the region’s creative industries and fostering unity through shared cultural platforms.
ASEAN On Screen is a dedicated programme that celebrates the richness and diversity of Southeast Asian cinema. Supported by the Ministry of Communications and presented in collaboration with FINAS, it plays a central role within the ASEAN Film & TV Summit. The programme places Southeast Asian narratives at the forefront of MIFFest, fostering collaboration across borders, encouraging co-productions, and promoting purposeful storytelling. It is designed to strengthen ASEAN cohesion through policy dialogue and cultural exchange, promote regional talents and content globally, encourage industry partnerships and knowledge sharing, and celebrate unique narratives that deserve international recognition.
The summit launched with a welcome speech from MIFFest President Joanne Goh, followed by the first panel session titled “Beyond Borders: Funding Pathways and Development Strategies by ASEAN Film Agencies.” The panel featured representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, including the CEO of FINAS, and was moderated by MIFFest advisor Dato’ Kamil Othman. The session explored how regional film agencies can enhance cross-border collaboration, and was followed by a lively Q&A session.
The Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN Film & TV Summit officially began with the arrival of Deputy Minister of Communications, YB Teo Nie Ching. Attendees stood for the Malaysian national anthem, Negaraku, followed by the ASEAN theme song, “Our Land, Our Home.” A welcome speech was delivered by Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, CEO of FINAS, followed by the officiating speech by Deputy Minister YB Teo Nie Ching, who launched the ASEAN Film & TV Summit 2025. In her remarks, YB Teo emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to inclusivity and sustainability under its ASEAN Chairmanship, aiming to build a region that empowers diverse voices and fosters shared growth.
The summit continued with a series of insightful panel discussions, drawing filmmakers, producers, and creative leaders from across the region. Among the highlights was the session “From Local to Global,” which explored immersive technologies and the future of the ASEAN creative ecosystem. Another session, “Cinematic Frontiers: Innovation, Infrastructure and Collaboration in ASEAN Film,” discussed strategies for taking local stories to international audiences. “Cinema in Flux: Finding the Right Story” featured filmmakers from Korea, Indonesia, and Hong Kong sharing their experiences in maintaining artistic identity in an evolving media landscape.
Notable speakers included Lee Dong-Ha, producer of the South Korean hit Train to Busan; Lee Sang-Hoon, director of Family Secrets, which screened at MIFFest ahead of its Korean release; and Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, the Vietnamese producer behind The Third Wife and Glorious Ashes. Each session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, and the day ended with a commemorative group photo.
The day’s events concluded with the ASEAN Film & TV Summit and ASEAN On Screen Welcome Cocktail Reception, an elegant gathering led by the MIFFest team. The reception brought together regional creatives, diplomats, and industry leaders for an evening of celebration and connection. In her remarks, MIFFest President Joanne Goh expressed pride in presenting ASEAN On Screen as a central part of the summit, in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship. She emphasised the programme’s role in celebrating Southeast Asian cinema while encouraging dialogue around identity, collaboration, and the region’s shared future.
As the 8th MIFFest continues throughout the week, 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 position as a key driver of Southeast Asian cinema on the global stage. These initiatives reflect FINAS’s ongoing commitment to cultural diplomacy, policy innovation, and regional partnerships, and further strengthen Malaysia’s role as a strategic convenor and enabler within the ASEAN creative industry.
