Minister of Culture pushes for JAFF Market to become international film hub

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon hopes the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) Market will continue to develop into an international film market that brings together industry players from various countries, similar to the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival. He made the statement during a press conference for JAFF Market 2026 in Jakarta on Friday. According to Fadli, the existence of a film market is an important part of building a sustainable film ecosystem because it connects all stakeholders, from talent, creators, producers, and directors to screenwriters and investors. He described it as a very good platform and expressed his appreciation for its role in sustainability. He hopes this year’s JAFF Market will attract more international participants, not only from Indonesia but also from ASEAN countries, Asia, and other regions. Fadli assessed that this potential must be supported by a strong industry portfolio so that foreign filmmakers have a reason to come and build cooperation in Indonesia. He added that the Ministry of Culture has a vested interest in strengthening national cinema because film is a medium that encompasses various cultural expressions, including acting, music, fashion, culinary arts, and cultural tourism promotion. Therefore, the government continues to strengthen the film ecosystem from upstream to downstream through human resource development, improving the quality of screenwriting, and supporting themes that still require affirmation. He stated that the goal is not just for Indonesian films to succeed domestically, but for them to be watched by an international audience. JAFF Market 2026 is scheduled to take place from 28 to 30 November in Yogyakarta as an event to bring together film industry players, investors, distributors, and creators to strengthen the Indonesian film ecosystem.