KUALA LUMPUR: Now that he is Finas’ chief executive officer, Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri wants to “go all out” to make necessary changes.
The filmmaker said his aim was to make sure all “negative talk” about the National Film Development Corporation was laid to rest.
“I’m going to work with my team in Finas to improve it. Finas will have a clean-up and restructuring for the betterment and growth of the film industry.
“We will make all the necessary improvements to Finas, and we will also take care of artistes’ well-being,” he said in a telephone interview today.
Ahmad Idham said one of his major priorities was to ensure that the granting of funds to filmmakers be carried out transparently and without ceremonies.
“The film industry will be informed about the individuals who receive such grants. They should not be kept in the dark, they have a right to know, and we will be transparent about this.”
He admitted that in the past, Finas’ direction “was not clear” and this resulted in negative perceptions from the public.
“I believe in Finas, but I must strengthen it and prove critics wrong. I want to gradually assemble a ‘dream team’ comprising Finas officials, artistes and other dedicated people to develop the industry further.”
However, Ahmad Idham said he was happy with Finas’ current team whom he had known for many years.
“I have faith in Finas’ present team, they are dedicated people. But I want all of us to have more discussions with filmmakers and actors when it comes to major policy decisions.”
Ahmad Idham added that he would give industry players a chance to upgrade their skills, by having them attend short courses overseas.
“Filmmakers and actors will benefit from these courses. They will go global, getting to network with international companies and be considered for roles in foreign films.”
Ahmad Idham also said he was aware that certain quarters were not happy with his appointment as head of Finas.
“I would like to meet them if they have good ideas to share with me. Criticising me in social media does not produce any results, better come and see me and have a healthy discussion.”
Ahmad Idham said the entertainment industry had a ready-made master plan which his predecessors helped create, and his team had to work hard to realise it.
“The main difference is we will manage things in a more open and transparent manner, as what the Communications and Multimedia Ministry wants us to do.”
Yesterday, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo announced Ahmad Idham’s appointment as Finas’ chief executive officer.
His appointment was effective from last Monday and he will be serving for two years.
Ahmad Idham, 45, is an accounting graduate from Universiti Teknologi Mara in Shah Alam. He has had 25 years’ experience as an actor, director and producer.
Among the movies he has appeared in are Mr Cinderella, Remp-It and Senario Lagi, while films he had directed include Impak Maksima, Gerimis Mengundang and Adnan Sempit.