Indonesian film passes IFFR 2026, Fadli Zon encourages Indonesia to spotlight in Rotterdam

ROTTERDAM - Indonesian films stole the spotlight at the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) in 2026. The government through the Ministry of Culture directly supports the promotion and strengthening of the position of national filmmakers in the most influential independent film forum in Europe.

This year, Indonesia brought two short films, five feature films, and one pitching project. Indonesian representatives also entered the mentor lab and producers lab programs at the Rotterdam Film Lab.

This presence confirms the surge in the quality of production and the diversity of the narrative of Indonesian filmmakers on the global stage.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon called the achievement a strategic momentum. He encouraged IFFR to give special space for "Indonesia Focus" or "Indonesia Spotlight".

"We want Indonesian works to be stronger on the global stage while deepening Indonesian-Dutch cultural relations through cinema," he said in Rotterdam, recently.

The government is also working on Indonesian-Dutch co-production through National Talent Management. This scheme is strengthened by the collaboration of SAMASAMA Lab which involves the Netherlands Film Fund, APROFI, as well as festival networks such as JAFF and Jakarta Film Week. The focus: project development, talent exchange, and market expansion.

The cooperation is based on the Indonesian-Dutch Audiovisual Co-production Agreement signed on December 4, 2024. This agreement opens a cross-country production line while expanding the cultural economy.

On the sidelines of the festival, Fadli Zon met IFFR Director Vanja Kaludjerčić. Indonesia again submitted Spotlight 2026 and opportunities for long-term collaboration, including the development of historical films as critical and contextual cultural diplomacy.

The government considers the presence at IFFR not merely a promotion, but a door to expand the national film industry to the global network.