Filem Negara Malaysia or the National Film Department of Malaysia is a government department under the Malaysian Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture, which is responsible for the filming and documentation of national events. Its headquarters is located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
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Prior to 22nd of November 1963, the National Film Department (NFD was known as the Malayan Film Unit. The Malayan Film Unit started its operations in April 1946 and was based in Jalan Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. It was a unit under the National Communications Department (Jabatan Perhubungan Raya), thereafter known as the Department of Information.
The present National Film Department complex is situated at Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya. It was officiated by the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni Al-Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail on 24th August, 1965. In his inaugural speech during the official opening ceremony of the NFD`s new complex, Allahyarham Datuk Senu bin Abdul Rahman, the then Information and Broadcasting Minister, had announced that the ministry decided to incorporate NFD to be one of its departments.
The NFD`s logo was created by Mr. Gillie Potter, the Art Director at the Motion Pictures Division. He had incorporated the picture of a tiger in the logo to symbolise activeness, patience and strength. These traits were crucial for the Malayan Film Unit at that time as it was facing many obstacles to prove its capability.
NFD has a branch office situated at Kompleks RTM, Jalan P.Ramlee, Kuching, Sarawak. Initially, the Sarawak`s NFD branch, which was established in the mid 1960s, was the Sarawak Information Department Film Unit with the role of broadcasting and screening films produced by the NFD.
The Sarawak`s NFD branch has broadened its functions in covering the national events and producing films on Sarawak itself, Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan.
Filem Negara Malaysia's functions are clearly defined by an Act of Parliament which is the Functions of Ministries Act, 1969 P.U (A) 126 - Film Division and Production.
Among the functions of the department include: