by David E.
KOTA KINABALU: Oct 12, 2026 – MR. FINANCE: Cinta Gadis Autisme, a locally produced Sabah film, has received a boost after State Minister of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan agreed to sponsor five special screening halls at 10Star Cinemas Kubota in Tawau on Nov 14.
The film, produced by Nautica Production Sdn Bhd, not only highlights a love story but also carries messages of love, acceptance and public awareness towards autistic individuals.
Its director and scriptwriter, Jade Morris, said the film, which began screening on Oct 8, still faces the challenge of drawing the audience response hoped for.
She said some social media users thought the film was an Indonesian production before finding out that it was actually the work of Sabahans, produced through the efforts of a local production crew.
“Some may have seen our poster or trailer and assumed this was a foreign film. But it is actually a Sabah film, the result of our own efforts.
“I hope the public will get to know this film and give it a chance by watching it before judging it,” she said.
The film, made with its own funds without production grant assistance, is spearheaded by Jade together with producer Gregory Giting, the cast and local production crew.
Through the character Dani, an autistic girl, the film invites audiences to understand that autistic individuals also have feelings, hopes and the desire to be loved like anyone else, while stressing the importance of acceptance without prejudice.
Jade said she hoped the story would open society’s perspective on autistic people and encourage the public to understand their life experiences with greater openness.
Meanwhile, Nizam’s agreement to sponsor the five special screening halls was reached at a meeting with Jade, Gregory and Assistant Producer Fuad Larkins at Wisma MUIS here today.
The support is expected to provide opportunities for more viewers to watch the film, thereby expanding the autism awareness message it carries.
Jade described the sponsorship as a morale booster for the production to continue championing local works, especially amid financial constraints and low audience turnout.
She also urged the public in Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia to give the film a chance while it is still showing in cinemas, and hoped that support for Sabah-made works would open up more opportunities for local productions in the future.
– TV Sabah
