KUALA LUMPUR – The mention of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) in the end credits of the Mandalorian has raised questions if the series was partially funded by taxpayers' money.
It is understood that the premiere of the second season was produced with the financial assistance in the form of a 30% cash rebate from Finas.
The subsidy was given to The Mandalorian after it engaged with Base FX, a local visual effects studio.
Base FX, which also has studios in China and US, specialises in creature and character animation, along with fluid and dynamic effects.
Finas' subsidy programme is part of the Film In Malaysia Incentive (Fimi) which provides incentives to foreign film producers who make use of Malaysian talent and filming locations.
It was reported this month that Netflix's '6 Underground' was the first movie to receive a subsidy under this programme, with visual effects also conducted by Base FX. - The Vibes, October 31, 2020