Menbud Fadli Zon Puji Film Jumbo, Evidence Of Cinema Can Strengthen Cultural Values

JAKARTA The Jumbo film has succeeded in raising optimism for Indonesian animated films with more than 6.3 million domestic viewers. This film was also selected to be included in the screening market at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon called this film a clear proof that Indonesia's cinema was able to shape characters, convey moral values, and strengthen the nation's cultural position on the international stage.

"Jumbo is present as an oase in the midst of various film genres. He is not just entertainment, but an emotional journey that is touching and full of messages. This is an example of how cinema works can shape character and strengthen cultural values," said Fadli at the Basua Screen forum, Thursday, April 24 at Plasa Insan Berprestasi, Ministry of Culture.

The Jumbo film is one of four local films that dominated the cinema screen during the Eid al-Fitr 2025 holiday. The other three films are Sugar Factory (4,263,196 viewers), Komang (2,626,365), and Qodrat (2,201,365). The four recorded a total of more than 15 million viewers in just two weeks doubling over the total audience throughout January February 2025.

Through the Basua Screen forum, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized the importance of this forum as a space for dialogue, reflection, as well as planning for the future of the national film industry. He encouraged the presence of more regional film festivals and cinema literacy programs on campus, Islamic boarding schools, and schools.

The film is a cultural face. It is part of our cultural diplomacy. We want the Ministry of Culture to become an institution that strengthens this ecosystem as a whole," said Menbud Fadli in his official statement, April 25.

Fadli mentioned three crucial things that became the foundation for strengthening the ecosystem: getting the institution right, getting the intervention right, and getting the coordinator right. This means that institutions must be right in function, policies must answer needs, and coordination across perpetrators must be effective.

PPFI chairman Deddy Mizwar emphasized film as an instrument of cultural diplomacy. Meanwhile, Ewan Persada and Ki Kusumo highlighted the challenge of access to film production distribution and financing. They encourage the state to be more in favor of national film policies.

This forum was attended by more than 130 film industry players, including figures such as Slamet Rahardjo, Niniek L. Karim, Chairman of the LSF, KPI, and representatives of Commission X DPR RI. They conveyed input related to distribution, censorship, broadcast infrastructure, to the establishment of fair film funds.

Layar Basua is not just a gathering place, but a meeting point for ideas. This is a momentum to rearrange the direction of policy so that Indonesian films not only survive, but grow and go global, "concluded the Minister of Culture Fadli Zon.