Indonesia bolsters film ecosystem, taps into French collaboration

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Culture Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the country's film industry through closer cooperation with France, focusing on talent development, co-productions, film preservation and sustainable financing, officials said on Friday.

Culture Minister Fadli Zon discussed the initiative during a meeting in Jakarta with French Ambassador Fabien Penone and representatives of France's Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC).

Fadli said Indonesia views the film and audiovisual sector as a key area for translating its cultural partnership with France into tangible outcomes.

"We are fully committed to strengthening the film ecosystem by preserving our cinematic heritage through archiving and restoration, while investing in future talent through incubation," he said.

The two sides discussed strengthening film governance, workforce development, sustainable financing, co-productions, animation, intellectual property protection, and preserving film heritage through archiving and restoration.

Fadli said the ministry is also strengthening national film institutions, including the newly appointed management of the Indonesian Film Board (BPI).

"We want to build a more independent and sustainable film financing mechanism, including exploring an endowment fund and other long-term funding schemes," he said.

He said the CNC's experience provides an important reference for developing Indonesia's national film ecosystem.

The meeting also highlighted the third Indonesia-France Film Lab, scheduled for November 2026 in Yogyakarta.

The program will include screenplay workshops and mentoring by France's La Fémis film school. In December, the CNC will host the first Indonesia-France co-production forum in Paris.

Penone welcomed Indonesia's commitment to expanding cultural cooperation, particularly in the film sector.

He said France was ready to support talent development, industry collaboration and knowledge exchanges to strengthen cultural ties through the film industry.

The partnership aims to expand international opportunities for young filmmakers, strengthen film institutions, preserve cinematic heritage and support a sustainable, globally competitive film industry.

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Translator: Sinta Ambarwati, Raka Adji

Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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