Production House Proposes That Films Cleared by LSF Should Be Granted Access to Cinema Screens

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Producer and owner of Sarang Semut Production, Irham Acho Bachtiar, has proposed that films which have passed the Lembaga Sensor Film (LSF) should have a standard for eligibility to be screened and should have access to cinema screens in Indonesia as part of efforts to ensure fair and equitable film distribution across the country.

“I propose that every film that has passed the censoring stage should be deemed fit for screening. There is no reason to reject. And the LSF queue number should be used as the screening queue,” Irham said during a hearing of the Panitia Kerja (Panja) on Creativity and Distribution of National Film, together with Komisi VII of the DPR RI at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Irham said large production houses often secure screening schedules in cinemas even before filming begins. Films that are finished and have passed the sensor stage and can obtain screen access should be distributed fairly across Indonesia.

In addition, Irham highlighted the need for transparency in the form of feedback or an explanation as to why a film has not been allocated a screening slot by cinema operators, which should be conveyed to the production house.

“If a film does not meet the screening standards, there should be clarity. Whether the product is rejected, or needs to be revised. So that they do not wait for years. It is a loss, and unfortunate,” Irham said.

Irham also said the government needs to prepare regulations regarding access to a minimum of 100 screens for production houses that will screen approved and standardised films.

He also stressed that PHs from regional areas also have standards and quality good enough to be worthy of comparison with big-budget films.