Minister of Culture Promises to Strengthen Film Ecosystem to Support Indonesian Delegation at Cannes 2026

According to Fadli Zon, Indonesia’s presence at Cannes demonstrates the increasing international attention towards the development of the national film industry and the capacity of Indonesian filmmakers in building global collaborations.

“The Ministry of Culture is committed to supporting the strengthening of the Indonesian film ecosystem to make it more competitive, inclusive, and capable of being an important part of the global film landscape,” said Fadli Zon, in a written statement, Friday (May 15, 2026).

Fadli Zon added that one of the concrete steps that the government continues to strengthen is through the National Talent Management program in the field of film, which aims to support the development of young filmmakers’ capacity, expand international networks, and open access to collaboration and funding for the Indonesian film industry.

In addition, the Ministry of Culture is also continuing to strengthen various film support programs through facilitating international promotion, developing industry networks, improving the capacity of film human resources, and strengthening the film ecosystem in the regions as part of a national cultural development strategy.

“We want to ensure that Indonesian film talents have space to grow, opportunities to network, and access to perform on the international stage,” said Fadli Zon.

Fadli Zon emphasized that film is one of the important instruments of Indonesian cultural diplomacy that can introduce Indonesian identity, values, and cultural diversity to the world.

Therefore, the Ministry of Culture is committed to strengthening the national film ecosystem from upstream to downstream, including encouraging the birth of more quality works that are rooted in the richness of Indonesian culture.

Indonesia’s participation in Cannes 2026 is present through various prestigious programs and platforms. In the Semaine de la Critique program, Indonesia is represented by four short films in the Next Step Studio program with the involvement of Reza Rahadian, Khozy Rizal, Shelby Kho, and Reza Fahri together with the production house KawanKawan Media.

In addition, the film Waterland, a German production that collaborates with Indonesia, also involves Indonesian co-producers Anisa Adjam and Bagus Suitrawan. In the Directors’ Fortnight program, the film 9 Temples to Heaven from Thailand is present as a co-production project with Indonesia through the involvement of co-producer Giovani Rahmadeva from Qun Film.

Meanwhile, in the Short Film Corner, Indonesia participates through the pitching project Gentle Hands in the Focus Script - Cinéma de Demain program presented by producer Feisha Permanayadi and director Garry Christian.

The presence of Indonesia is also strengthened by Fransiska Prihadi from Minikino who is entrusted as one of the decision-makers in the Short Film Corner as well as producer Fadhila Ristianty who was selected in the Rendezvous Industry program as a producer in the spotlight.

In the field of documentary films, the Docs by the Sea program is one of the hosts in Cannes Docs. In addition, director Kamila Andini received an award at the Women in Cinema Gala held by the Red Sea Foundation as one of the six female filmmakers selected to receive the award this year.

Indonesia also marks the strengthening of international cooperation through the launch of Project SamaSama, a co-development program between Indonesia and the Netherlands which is a follow-up to the signing of a bilateral memorandum of understanding between the two countries in the field of culture.

The program was attended by 10 Indonesian producers and is expected to open up wider opportunities for production collaboration at the international level. On this occasion, Fadli Zon also held a meeting with Guillaume Esmiol to discuss Indonesia’s readiness as Guest of Honor at the Cannes Film Festival in 2028.

“We hope that Indonesia’s presence on the world film stage can encourage more young Indonesian filmmakers to be brave in creating works, building international networks, and introducing the richness of Indonesian culture through the medium of film to the world,” Fadli Zon concluded.

By carrying the narrative about the very rich cultural diversity of Indonesia, Fadli Zon added that Indonesia’s presence as a candidate for Guest of Honor at the Cannes Film Festival in 2028 will be an effort to strengthen the film ecosystem throughout the regions in Indonesia as well as a means of attracting investment in the film sector in Indonesia. (prf/ega)