Netflix Family Festival 2026: Celebrating Children's Stories and Digital Safety in Indonesia
Family-friendly content continues to dominate the global and local entertainment stage. From the global success of KPop Demon Hunters to the local animation Jumbo, stories targeting children and family audiences have proven capable of captivating cross-generational viewers. Internal data shows that in 2025, children’s titles accounted for nearly 22% of total viewing time on Netflix globally, with family-friendly titles consistently appearing in the Global Top 10 for almost four consecutive years.
To mark National Children’s Day, Netflix held the Netflix Family Festival 2026: World of Wonder. This event was Netflix’s first family activation in Indonesia and the largest in Southeast Asia to date. The festival served as a meeting point for families, creators, policymakers, and industry partners to celebrate the power of stories in strengthening family bonds.
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Nezar Patria, who opened the series of events, stressed the importance of balancing content access with safety. He highlighted the initiative’s role in supporting Government Regulation (PP) Tunas, which focuses on protecting children in the digital space. “Providing quality family-friendly viewing must go hand in hand with efforts to create a safe digital space,” said Nezar. He added that collaboration with global platforms like Netflix is crucial to improving parents’ understanding of digital safety features and empowering local creative communities to produce world-class content.
Ruben Hattari, Director of Global Affairs, Southeast Asia at Netflix, affirmed that the company’s commitment extends beyond the screen. “We want to help parents get to know the various safety features and build positive co-viewing habits. Through training with APROFI and BPI, we continue to support the children’s storytelling ecosystem in Indonesia,” he stated.
In a panel discussion titled ‘Encouraging the Future of Stories Worth Watching Together’, industry leaders discussed the importance of emotional honesty in creative works. Ryan Adriandhy, director of Jumbo, argued that children are a sensitive audience. “The best family stories embrace emotional complexity and deliver it in a way that everyone can enjoy,” he explained. Writer and director Gina S. Noer added that film is a powerful medium for passing on cultural values. Meanwhile, Andrew Guerdat, producer of PAW Patrol, offered a global perspective, noting that stories rooted in local emotional honesty possess a universal appeal capable of touching families worldwide.
As a tangible investment, Netflix, together with APROFI and BPI, held a masterclass titled ‘Weaving Stories and Visuals for Children’s Films and Series’. The programme involved 60 Indonesian creators to strengthen their ability to produce quality content through the Cerita Anak Nusantara initiative.
Beyond entertainment such as the KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along and the Netflix Playground area, the festival featured a Discovery Zone. Here, parents were educated on using Kids Profiles, age classifications, and parental control features. Discussion sessions with Montessori practitioner Reza Andhika Permana and child psychologist Irma Gustiana A. also provided guidance for parents on turning screen time into quality time that builds closer relationships between children and parents.
The festival concluded with the premiere screening of Aku Sebelum Aku, directed by Gina S. Noer. Starring Ringgo Agus Rahman and Bima S. Sena, the film is scheduled to stream globally on Netflix on 16 July 2026, bringing a heartwarming story about the relationship between a teenager and his father.