KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 7 -- The team behind Jom Kita Ke Laut: Itui Suli-Suli Bajau! has expressed hope that the documentary will pass a reassessment by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) for the Mandatory Screening Scheme, as they seek to bring the film to Malaysian cinema audiences.

Director Zan Azlee said the primary goal of the project was not commercial success, but to expand space for documentary films in local cinemas while giving voice to communities that are rarely seen or heard.

"We're not in any illusion thinking that our film is going to be the next blockbuster. I just think there isn't a big enough culture in Malaysia to watch documentaries in cinemas,"he told Malay Mail yesterday.

"That's the reason why...