The Malaysia National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) today scrapped three film categories in the 28th Malaysia Film Festival (FFM28) and instead, created a new category called Best Film in the National Language category.

In a statement here, it said the three scrapped categories were non-national language categories comprising Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

FINAS said the final nomination for the three cancelled categories would automatically be absorbed under the FFM28 Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay categories.

It added this was in line with a decision of the communications and multimedia ministry yesterday, on the creation of a new Best Film in the National Language category, and that the participation in the Best Film Award category be opened to all.

Under the new category, FINAS said five films were nominated while for the other categories, the nominations remained as they were.