Cinema Indonesia In Cannes 2025, Menbud Invites World Filmmakers To Collaborate

JAKARTA - Indonesian Cinema Night is present at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival event. This event has also become a cultural storefront and the national film industry is growing and ready to compete globally.

The Indonesian Cinema Night, which was held on Saturday, May 17, became a meeting stage for the film industry from various countries. Attended by filmmakers, producers, and industry players from within and outside the country, this event also expands strategic networks for Indonesian cinema.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, who was present to open the event, emphasized the government's commitment under President Prabowo Subianto to raise Indonesian culture through films.

As a Mega Diversity country, Indonesia is ready to appear on the global stage. Culture is our main strength, and film is the media. The government supports cross-border production collaboration so that Indonesian culture is increasingly known," said Menbud Fadli Zon in a written statement received on Sunday, May 18.

In 2024, it recorded an important achievement: more than 200 films were produced, and the total national cinema audience reached 122.7 million people. Of that number, 81 million viewers watched Indonesian films 'overcoming 67% of the market and for the first time surpassing imported films.

Over the past two years, 36 Indonesian films have been selected at international festivals. At Cannes this year, we are proud to bring works such as Pangku, Renoir, Blood Association, East, Sleep No More, and Jumbo animations that penetrated nearly 10 million viewers," continued Fadli Zon.

He also mentioned a number of figures who attended and were involved, such as Christine Hakim, Reza Rahadian, Iko Uwais, Ario Bayu, and Robby Ertanto and Chelsea Islan who introduced Rose Pandanwangi's latest project to potential investors. Producer Yulia Evina Bhara also raised Indonesia's name through the film Renoir 'the results of collaboration between countries' and served as a judge at Cannes this year.

National film institutions also appear, such as the Jakarta Film Week and the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF), which are now becoming the largest film market in Indonesia. International networks also enlivened events, such as the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

The Minister of Education and Culture also took the opportunity to attend Cannes to invite producers, filmmakers and other parties to collaborate with Indonesia in the film sector.

We invite the world to produce films in Indonesia a place of culture, heritage, and creativity to meet. The Indonesian cultural industry is a peaceful path to prosperity together.

The event closed with the appearance of pencak silat from Uwais Pictures, as a symbol of the unobtent cultural heritage that UNESCO has recognized. This action was greeted enthusiastically by the invitations present, at the same time affirming that Indonesia's cinema is not only a matter of story, but also a wealth of culture that lives and is globally competitive.