Minister of Culture Attends SANFFEST Ramadan Film Screening, Encourages Pesantren Students to Create
Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon attended the Santri Film Festival (SANFFEST) Ramadan film screening at the Data and Information Centre (Pusdatin) of the Ministry of Culture in Ciputat, South Tangerang. The event forms part of efforts to expand public participation, particularly amongst young people and pesantren students, in advancing national culture through film.
Speaking before pesantren leaders and students, Zon described SANFFEST as a strategic platform for young pesantren members to express ideas and cultural wealth through film production.
“The Santri Film Festival began last year and forms part of the Ministry of Culture’s programme, with the hope that everyone has the opportunity to advance Indonesia’s national culture. One form of cultural expression is art, including film,” Zon explained in a written statement on Sunday (1 March 2026).
Zon elaborated that culture encompasses a broad scope beyond art alone. He cited art as one of ten Objects of Cultural Advancement that form the focus of national policy, alongside language, literature, oral tradition, manuscripts, rituals, customs, traditional games, traditional sports, and local food.
According to Zon, film holds significant importance because it can simultaneously incorporate numerous cultural elements and easily reach the public in the digital era.
“Within film there is acting art, language, literature, music, dance, traditional textiles, and even culinary elements. Film is a platform containing many art and cultural elements whilst being the easiest to disseminate in today’s digital age,” he explained.
Zon added that the Ministry of Culture currently prioritises five arts ecosystems in national talent management: film, music, performing arts, visual arts, and literature. Programmes include talent development, workshops, capacity building, and mentorship by maestros and specialists in their respective fields.
In the same session, Zon addressed developments in the national film industry. He noted that Indonesian films currently command approximately 67 per cent of the domestic cinema market share, presenting an opportunity to be leveraged, particularly by young people.
Zon also highlighted Indonesian film participation at international festivals including the Rotterdam International Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and Venice Film Festival. Domestically, he cited festivals such as the Indonesian Film Festival, Jakarta Film Week, and Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival as continuously developing spaces for appreciation and the national film market.
Regarding pesantren potential, Zon noted that Indonesia has approximately 42,000 pesantren with rich narrative resources. He also referenced Indonesia’s mega-diversity, comprising 1,340 ethnic groups and 718 regional languages, as a broad source of inspiration for young filmmakers.
According to Zon, pesantren possess distinctive characteristics rarely found in other countries. Intellectual tradition, discussion forums, and spiritual values form a strong foundation for creative work. He cited the novel Ayat-Ayat Cinta by Habiburrahman El Shirazy, adapted into film and reaching millions of viewers, as evidence that stories from pesantren possess cultural and industrial appeal.
The SANFFEST Ramadan film screening was attended by several pesantren leaders and students, including those from Qatrun Nada, Rahmaniyah Al-Islami, At-Taqwa, and Fajar Dunia pesantren.
In closing remarks, Zon expressed hope that pesantren would produce filmmakers capable of bringing Indonesian stories to the world stage.
“The power of film lies in storytelling. And Indonesia never lacks stories. Pesantren students possess experiences, traditions, and perspectives that are truly unique. I hope that pesantren will produce outstanding filmmakers capable of bringing Indonesian stories to the world stage,” he concluded.