Cannes 2026 in the Spotlight, 15 Indonesian Films Ready to Test Global Market

JAKARTA - The push to bring Indonesian films to the global stage is being tested again. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon opened the door to collaboration, but the financing scheme and the strength of the regional ecosystem were the determinants of whether this step would lead to results or just discourse.

In a meeting at the Ministry of Culture, Monday, May 4, the production house Bintang Cahaya Sinema explained its plan to bring 15 projects to the Marche du Film at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. Three titles have entered the production stage, namely Petarung, Di Sini Bukan Rumahku (based on the story of Hanako), and Paraji: Keris Brojol.

CEO of Bintang Cahaya Sinema, Rizka Shakira, said that participation in Cannes was not just a promotion. He targeted network access and opportunities for cross-border cooperation. "We hope for government support because this forum opens up relationships with global filmmakers," he said.

On the other hand, they are also preparing a film festival in Kuningan, West Java. This step is aimed at mobilizing local production and opening up space for regional actors and directors. Cultural research for the Paraji: Keris Brojol project has also been prepared, in the hope of involving government sources.

Actor Ence Bagus considers that the limitations of cinemas in the region should not be an excuse for stagnation. He encourages the outdoor festival format as a solution for distribution as well as a growing space for the local ecosystem.

In response, Fadli Zon emphasized that government support would be directed at concrete schemes, not just symbolic facilitation. One of the offers is a matching fund mechanism through the Indonesian Raya Fund and collaboration with government-recognized institutions.

However, the main challenge lies in the consistency of funding and the readiness of the ecosystem. Without it, the ambition to penetrate the global market risks stopping at the project presentation stage.

The ministry also promises other support, ranging from film screenings, network strengthening, to the development of culture-based content. The goal is that Indonesia's presence in Cannes is not only crowded in proposals, but is visible on the screen and market.