Written by new-contact on Jun 16, 2014. Posted in On Location

Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios officially opens for filming in South-East Asia

Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios (PIMS) has officially opened for filming in Johor, Malaysia. The new GBP100 million facility spans 50 acres near Singapore and offers world-class film and TV stages, as well as office space, post-production resources and a 30-acre forest back lot.

Producers have access to 100,000 square feet of film studio space and 24,000 square feet of TV studio space. There are also various water tank facilities, including the largest interior tank in South-East Asia. Malaysia also now offers a 30% filming incentive.

The studios were in fact completed in December last year and have already been used for the major Netflix historical miniseries Marco Polo.

“For four years now, Malaysia has been eagerly waiting for the Studios to be completed,” said Michael Lake, Chief Executive Officer of PIMS: “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 center for international film production in Asia.”

Commented Ivan Dunleavy, Chief Executive Officer, Pinewood Shepperton: "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 studios were in fact completed in December last year and have already been used for the major Netflix historical miniseries Marco Polo.

“The demand for new screen-based content in the Asia Pacific region is continuing to rise," Dunleavy added: "Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios is well placed to meet that demand.”

Hollywood is building its interest in the Far-East, partly to get more access to the lucrative Chinese market. Pinewood itself is actively participating, having signed a Joint Venture Agreement with Seven Stars Media in mid-2013 to explore business opportunities in China.

Earlier this year, Pinewood agreed to offer formal advice on the development of the Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis in eastern China.

(Images: Pinewood Studios)