Culture Minister highlights strengthening of film ecosystem through SANFFEST
Jakarta — Indonesia’s Culture Minister Fadli Zon has highlighted the importance of strengthening the national film ecosystem through the Santri Film Festival (SANFFEST) during his attendance at the SANFFEST Ramadan Film Discussion at the Culture Ministry’s Data and Information Centre (Pusdatin) in Ciputat, South Tangerang, on Sunday.
“The Santri Film Festival began last year and has become part of the Culture Ministry’s programme, with the hope that all people have the opportunity to advance Indonesian national culture. One expression of that culture is art, including film,” Fadli said.
At the event, which was attended by pesantren leaders and students, Fadli stated that SANFFEST serves as a strategic space for young people from Islamic boarding schools to express ideas and cultural richness through film.
“In film there is acting art, language, literature, music, dance, traditional clothing, and even culinary arts. Film is a platform that contains many elements of art and culture, and is the easiest to disseminate in today’s digital era,” he said.
Fadli noted that the government prioritises five arts ecosystems in national talent management: film, music, performing arts, visual arts, and literature. These programmes include talent development, workshops, capacity building, and mentorship by maestros.
He also outlined developments in the national film industry, which now commands approximately 67 per cent of the domestic cinema market share. Additionally, Indonesian films participate in numerous international festivals including the Rotterdam International Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, and Sundance Film Festival.
Concluding his remarks, Fadli expressed hope that the pesantren community would produce filmmakers capable of bringing Indonesian stories to the world stage.
“The strength of film lies in storytelling, and Indonesia never lacks stories. Pesantren students have experiences, traditions, and perspectives that are very unique,” he said.