FILM Wallet Premium Video-On-Demand (PVOD), Malaysia’s first-ever online cinema, hopes to revolutionise and improve consumers’ movie-going experiences in a safer and a more comfortable environment.
In addition to being an over-the-top (OTT) media service platform, Film Wallet PVOD is also working together with local, regional and international content creators who hope to have an exclusive platform to reach audiences.
The launch event last week was attended by newly appointed Finas CEO Prof Md Nasir Ibrahim, Founder and CEO of Film Wallet PVOD Jack Yeoh, along with a number of creatives, including actresses Diana Danielle, Giselle Chia, and Tong Bing Yu.
“With Film Wallet PVOD, everyone can now watch the latest movies in HD quality, at affordable prices,” said Yeoh.
“At the same time, we are cultivating a vision to assist and revitalise the film industry in Malaysia, as we work towards becoming a new avenue for second window movies and expand our platform to Southeast Asian countries in stages.”
Described as a 100% Malaysian company, Film Wallet PVOD offers on-demand content from around the world, including the US, China, Korea, and Europe. The platform will expand to two countries in southeast Asia in February of next year, which should allow local content to reach a much larger audience.
Part of the sales pitch is the lack of a monthly contract, as is done by many other streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar). Instead consumers can purchase the movie they are interested in for a low price, starting at RM1.90 – with some titles costing RM9.90. Viewers will be able to watch as many times as they want in a two day time period.
Having just launched, the selection as of now is paltry in comparison to more established content providing services, even though there is some variety in genre, as well as geographic origin. For what it’s worth, viewers can check out the first six minutes of a movie for free.
To compensate for this shortcoming, Film Wallet PVOD is collaborating with local productions, regional entertainment studios, as well as international distributors from further afield.
“The launch of Film Wallet PVOD will bring a positive effect to the film industry ecosystem as a new digital entertainment platform,” said Md Nasir.
“Their vision to help export local films overseas is in line with FINAS’ program to promote local films internationally.”
At the press conference, they announced their participation in the co-production of three local movies, namely Syaitan Nirrajim (directed by Ayez Shaukat), Where You Are (directed by Woo Ming Jin), and Isolasi (directed by Ryon Lee) that are expected to be released next year.
They also announced their collaboration with Celestial Tiger Entertainment from Hong Kong, allowing users to access exclusive action/thriller movies under its ‘KIX’ brand.
As of now, users can access Film Wallet PVOD anywhere, via their smartphones, tablets or TVs, with the app available on the App Store for Apple devices, and Google Store for Android. – The Vibes, November 29, 2021
