Kemenbud Appreciates Garin Nugroho Achieves The Humanitarian Cinema Award In Lugano

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon together with Garin Nugroho. (IST)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia expresses its appreciation to senior director Garin Nugroho who won the Human Rights Award for the Author from the 2025 Human Rights Film Festival Lugano in Switzerland.

This prestigious award confirms Garin's long work that consistently interprets films as a space for empathy and social reflection. In his works, Garin not only tells stories, but invites the audience to understand humanity through cultural and historical lenses.

Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Fadli Zon called Garin's achievements proof that Indonesian culture has global life and reach.

"The award received by Garin Nugroho proves that the values of humanity and the identity of the nation are able to speak in a universal language. The Ministry of Culture is committed to strengthening the cultural ecosystem so that Indonesian filmmakers continue to work, innovate, and contribute to the promotion of culture," said Menbud Fadli in a statement received on Sunday, October 19.

Garin was present in person at Lugano on October 17, 2025 to receive the award and at the same time screen two films of his choice, the Singing of the Singing Dalam Rantang and the Poem of the Unburied. These two films continue their long exploration of Indonesian humanity, identity, and culture in the eyes of the world.

Director General of Development, Utilization, and Culture Development Ahmad Mahendra added,

'Garin Nugroho is clear evidence that Indonesia's cinema can be accepted by the world, not just because of aesthetics, but because of taking sides with human values. Congratulations to Mas Garin. Hopefully this will be an inspiration for young filmmakers to work with conscience.'

The Human Rights Award for the Author is the highest award from the festival, which since 2018 has been awarded to world filmmakers with a strong commitment to human rights issues, freedom of expression, and social justice.

The Ministry of Education and Culture considers this achievement as an important milestone for international recognition for Indonesia to affirm the position of Indonesian film personnel on the world stage, as well as strengthen awareness that cultural works are a bridge for humanity across nations.