23 Nov – The presence of Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios in Johor next year may provide the nation, as well as its neighbour, Singapore, international standards of production facilities, according to a report on The Borneo Post's website. "Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia is a venture between Iskandar Malaysia Studios Sdn Bhd, fully owned by Khazanah Nasional Bhd. and world renowned Pinewood Shepperton PLC, to boost Iskandar Malaysia's status as a regional and international film production hub", Malaysian Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said while speaking at the 24th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM 24) held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) recently. . Rais said that high quality films can be produced regionally as the studio would be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and technology to produce films of international standards. Rais also added that the Malaysian film industry has not only seen vast development in terms of presentation and quality of cinematography, it has also expanded in terms of marketing. "Malaysian made films like "Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa" and "KL Gangster" have reached technical aspects that we can be proud of," he said. The Pinewood Studios Group is the leading European provider of studio and related services to the worldwide film and television industries. Responsible for international productions such as "Kick-Ass", "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Pt.2", "Angels And Demons", "Johnny English Reborn" and the upcoming "Snow White And The Hunstman" , the Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios will be the company's first ever facility in Asia.