Nusajaya, Johor – Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios (PIMS), the largest independent integrated studio facility in South East Asia, officially opened on June 14 by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, Sultan and Sovereign Ruler of the State and Territory of Johor Darul Ta’zim. Located in Iskandar Malaysia, in the state of Johor, the RM550 million state-of-the art facilities is set to position Johor as the regional hub for film and television production.
The 50-acre world-class integrated facility currently offers filmmakers 100,000 square feet of film stages, 24,000 square feet of television studios, post production facilities and complete support services, including production office space, dressing/make-up rooms, workshops and backlots, making PIMS the largest independent integrated studio facility in South East Asia, if not Asia.
Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, the Chairperson of PIMS said, “PIMS is committed to lead in developing a robust ecosystem of creative talent and high quality SMEs around the facility. PIMS is not only expected to contribute to the development of the creative industry, it will generate spill-over effects to other economic sectors like tourism, finance and high-value manufacturing. The development of a creative ecosystem in Iskandar Malaysia shall continue to enhance innovation, creativity and stimulate entrepreneurship.”
Michael Lake, Chief Executive Officer of PIMS, said, “For four years now, Malaysia has been eagerly waiting for the Studios to be completed. Today, we are delighted to be celebrating the official opening of Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios as it marks the start of our journey towards becoming the centre for international film production in Asia.”
Completed in December 2013, the Studios has already generated great interest from international film and television producers. In April 2014, the Studios inked a deal with independent American multimedia production and distribution company, The Weinstein Company, to shoot the upcoming television series, Marco Polo at the facility.
“We have certainly hit the ground running. Attracting a production the size of Marco Polo is testament to our ability to offer world-class amenities to filmmakers looking for a one-stop shop from script to screen. We anticipate more projects to come our way as we continue to actively market the Studios internationally. It’s certainly exciting times ahead for the Studios,” added Lake.
Ivan Dunleavy, Chief Executive Officer, Pinewood Shepperton plc, the global provider film and television infrastructure said, “I am delighted that Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios is today formally opened for business. It will play a strategic part in Pinewood’s ever expanding international offering. It is an outstanding state-of-the-art facility, which will appeal to domestic and international film and television productions alike. The demand for new screen-based content in the Asia Pacific region is continuing to rise. Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios is well placed to meet that demand.”
PIMS is the result of an important strategic alliance between the world famous Pinewood Studios Group and the Government of Malaysia’s strategic investment fund, Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Khazanah). In February 2014, Japan’s largest post production company, Imagica Corp formed a joint venture with Khazanah to set up a postproduction facility, Imagica South East Asia, at the Studios. PIMS is an important Creative and Media anchor investment of Khazanah, aiming to integrate with the relevant facilities and industry players in the Klang Valley and to network into the existing creative hubs within Malaysia and Asia-Pacific.
