Culture Minister Praises Layar Digi, Expands Film Access in Regions Without Cinemas
Culture Minister Fadli Zon of Indonesia visited the Layar Digi facility in the Gading Serpong area, Tangerang. The digital-based micro cinema concept was developed to broaden public access to watching films, especially in areas that do not yet have conventional cinemas.
Layar Digi is designed as a solution to the limited number of cinema screens in Indonesia while expanding national film distribution. On the visit, Fadli and invited guests also watched a demo screening teaser of the animated Knight Kris to experience the cinema experience firsthand in the micro cinema facility.
After viewing together, Fadli expressed appreciation for the innovation presented by Layar Digi as a concrete step in addressing the challenge of screen shortages in Indonesia. He assessed that the unmet national screen capacity affects the limited screening space for Indonesian films, especially in the regions.
“An extraordinary innovation with out-of-the-box thinking to provide or answer the challenge we face, namely the shortage of screens. It fills the gaps that still exist because there are no cinemas in regional areas, and opens up many opportunities for the public to watch films in cinemas,” he said in a written statement on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
According to him, Indonesia’s film industry is currently showing very good development, with a strong domestic market share. However, strengthening the ecosystem remains necessary, particularly in maintaining distribution balance, regulatory windowing, and sustaining public interest to come to cinemas.
“Layar Digi can reach sub-districts, even to areas that do not have cinemas, this is extraordinary. The potential is huge and this will help culture as well as drive the downstream creative economy. The ecosystem needs to be maintained so that people continue to come to cinemas,” he added.
Fadli stressed that innovations like Layar Digi are bold steps worthy of appreciation because they can address screen limitations while strengthening the national film ecosystem. He hopes greater cooperation between the government and business players will be maintained so that public access to cultural works is wider and more evenly distributed across Indonesia.
On the same occasion, Teuku Riefky Harsya, Minister of the Creative Economy, said the presence of Layar Digi has the right momentum amid rising production and quality of national films. He said demand for access to screens is increasing, while not all districts and municipalities have cinema facilities.
He also noted that many regional governments hope access to screens can be expanded in their areas.
“If this is focused, it won’t be long before it becomes one of the largest cinema networks in Indonesia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo, President Commissioner of PT Teknologi Layar Digital, explained that Layar Digi was developed as part of strengthening the upstream-downstream synergy of the national film industry. She believes film can be part of Indonesia’s culture or soft power with an impact on the growth of the creative economy.
Rahayu added that Layar Digi is designed to reach regions across Indonesia, including reinvigorating Indonesian films that have been a significant part of film history so that younger generations in various areas can enjoy them.
“Our hope is to support and encourage the creativity of the nation’s children. This also creates new jobs in the creative sector. We are open to collaborating with various parties so that people across Indonesia can enjoy the works of the nation’s children on the big screen,” she said.
It is noted that Layar Digi is a micro cinema concept that utilises strategic commercial spaces with a capacity smaller than conventional cinemas, but still prioritises high-quality digital projection and sound. The initiative aims to equalise access to screens, given that many cinemas remain concentrated in major cities.
The programme also aims to expand the distribution of national films, open opportunities for local film screenings and other creative content, and support regional economic growth. After inauguration and a trial phase in Gading Serpong, Layar Digi is planned to be gradually developed to various districts and cities in Indonesia.
For information, attendees included Commissioner of PT Teknologi Layar Digital Mike Wiluan, WIR Group CEO Daniel Surya, Layar Digi CEO Victor Timothy, officials from the Ministry of Creative Economy, Alfamart, Director of Digital Culture Development Andi Syamsu Rijal, Director of Infrastructure and Facilities Feri Arlius, and Head of Balai Media Kebudayaan Abu Chanifah.