Indonesia's Inspiring Competition, Invites The Young Generation To Voice Mental Health Through Short Films

JAKARTA In the midst of increasing attention to the mental health of teenagers, #InspiringIndonesia is here as a collaborative initiative that makes short films a medium of expression, social advocacy, and bridge change. Held by Campaign #ForABetterWorld with the Djarum Foundation, the Tanoto Foundation, and the A Better World Foundation, this activity is expected to be able to drive public empathy and create a sustainable impact through the power of the story combined with real action.

The #InspiringIndonesia competition invites students, communities, NGOs, filmmakers, and individual creators to voice the issue of youth mental well-being through short films. With a total prize of Rp346.5 million, the main winners from each category also had the opportunity to represent Indonesia at the Grand Final Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival 2025 in Singapore.

Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival 2025 #InspiringIndonesia is not just a competition, but a collective movement that combines art, solidarity, and social change. This festival is supported by regional and international partner networks such as Asia Philanthropy Circle, Asia Community Foundation, Bluehill, Environment Foundation, Li Foundation, and Rockefeller Brothers Fund, which together strengthen the stage for cross-border humanitarian narratives.

Through the theme 'To Be Seen', this festival highlights the mental health issue of teenagers' an important topic that is often neglected. In various regions, many teenagers face social pressure, emotional isolation, to symptoms of depression without proper support. Therefore, we invite young filmmakers, students, communities, grassroots organizations, to creative individuals to voice this reality through an authentic and touching short film, "said William Gondokusumo, Founder of Campaign #ForABetterWorld and A Better World Foundation.

The Tanoto Foundation, as a leading philanthropic organization in education and health, sees this festival as a strategic platform to encourage the active participation of the younger generation in social issues, especially mental health.

At the Tanoto Foundation, we believe that quality education includes academic aspects, character development and emotional well-being. The Tanoto Foundation's involvement in this festival is in line with our commitment to holistically develop the potential of the younger generation 'not only intellectually intelligent, but also emotionally strong and has awareness of social issues. Through this competition, I hope that young leaders will be born who dare to speak up, understand the importance of mental health, and become agents of change in their community," said Michael Susanto, Head of Leadership Development & Scholarship, Tanoto Foundation.

The Djarum Foundation, which actively supports the development of the younger generation through various fields including education, sees its participation in #InspiringIndonesia as an opportunity to foster the fighting spirit of the younger generation by providing space for them to voice authentic and meaningful ideas.