Ministry of Culture invites filmmakers to showcase local wisdom through film festivals
Denpasar (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Culture (Kemenbud) is inviting filmmakers to highlight Indonesia’s vast wealth of local wisdom in films submitted to film festivals.
“Because of the extraordinary richness of Indonesian culture, beyond culinary arts and textiles, it is vital that we re-elevate local wisdom. In the current climate, where Indonesian national identity is being eroded in various aspects, featuring local wisdom in films serves as a reminder that while modernisation is important, there are cultural elements that bring us peace,” said the Director of Film, Music, and Art at the Ministry of Culture, Irini Dewi Wanti.
Speaking at the Balinale international film festival in Denpasar on Wednesday, Irini explained that by filmmakers incorporating Indonesian locality into their narratives, the nation’s rich culture will become more widely recognised.
“We provide support, such as funding from the Indonesia Raya Fund or various facilities; for instance, if travelling abroad, there are travel grants from the Directorate General of Diplomacy. These schemes can be accessed via the ministry’s website,” she stated.
Beyond major film festivals like Balinale, which holds Oscar qualifications, the Ministry of Culture intends for local wisdom to be integrated into every film, ranging from university-level festivals to community-based screenings.
For filmmakers whose works were selected for the 19th edition of Balinale this year, Irini advised them to make the most of the opportunity by learning, engaging in discussions, and expanding their networks with diverse global filmmakers.
“Continue to believe in the power of your stories; Indonesian stories have an important place in global conversation,” she added.
The 19th Balinale, held from 1–7 June 2026, selected 94 films from 38 countries, 26 of which are works by Indonesian filmmakers. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting film as a cultural medium with the power to preserve memory, reflect identity, convey values, and introduce Indonesia to the world.
One of the Indonesian films that successfully qualified is ‘Bunga-Bunga di Jala Ikan’ (titled ‘A Mixed Blessing’ in English), directed and written by Cinta Setia, following the Ministry of Culture’s guidance.
A graduate of ISI Yogyakarta, Setia explained that this short film depicts the ‘Sedekah Rawa Pening’ tradition, which is believed to be a ceremony to attract prosperity and ward off misfortune.
“I filmed at Lake Rawa Pening in Semarang Regency, which is my hometown. This film tells the story of a family facing financial hardship who rely on tradition; the local community still frequently performs this tradition, floating a ‘tumpeng’ once a year to dispel bad luck and smooth the path to prosperity,” she said.
By highlighting this local wisdom, Setia and her team successfully brought the film to Balinale and even had it accepted into the ‘Art of the Score’ at Juilliard. For them, portraying local stories not only brings their work to the international stage but also teaches them about the often-overlooked riches of Indonesia.
“I discovered the fascinating stories within our own communities that exist right next to us, yet often go unnoticed—stories from a lake that the media rarely covers, regarding both its culture and traditions, even though those traditions persist to this day,” Setia remarked.