Strengthening Film Collaboration Through, Indonesia-France Establishes Strategic Cooperation

Menbud Fadli Zon, held a Cultural Strategic Dialogue with the Minister of Culture of France, Rachida Dati (Doc. Kemenbud)

JAKARTA Indonesia and France are getting serious about building cultural bridges through strategic cooperation in the film sector. The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, held a Cultural Strategic Dialogue with the Minister of Culture of France, Rachida Dati, in Paris, Tuesday (15/7). This meeting followed up on a memorandum of understanding signed when President Emmanuel Macron visited Jakarta and Borobudur Temple last May.

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia together with CNC (Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animmen) and La Femis are exploring programs to strengthen Indonesia's network of production, technology transfer, and capacity for filmmakers. Also present were the Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, as well as representatives of filmmakers, museums, and creative industries.

"This discussion is a continuation of the discussion since the Cannes Film Festival, President Macron's visit, and a series of meetings with the French in Indonesia. We want to ensure a real follow-up to the signed MoU," said Fadli Zon, quoted Wednesday, July 16.

Producer Angga Sasongko assesses that the cooperation model for the CNC and Korean Film Academy (KAFA) can be an inspiration. The scholarship and student exchange schemes are considered relevant for nine Indonesian art campuses that have film study programs, such as ISI Padang Panjang, IKJ, UMN, and the Makassar Arts Institute.

Cooperation is not only focused on formal channels. The National Talent Management Program (MTN) and film festivals such as JAFF, Jakarta Film Week, and Minikino will also be involved. "There is an annual opportunity for recognition for writers, directors, producers, as well as the exchange of students and audiovisual lecturers strengthened by the MoU. For co-production, we can imitate the CNC pattern with Korea," said Angga, producer of the Jumbo film.

Actress Asmara Abigail also shared her experiences of being involved in the co-production of France-Indonesia, such as the Javanese Devils by Garin Nugroho and Makbul Mubarak's Autobiography. "This collaboration not only expands the audience of Indonesian films, but also enriches the cultural exchange," he said.

This step was strengthened by the Ina-France Lab program which began at the Jaff Market 2024. The creative laboratory will be a routine agenda for bringing together the talents of films of the two countries together.

Indonesia is also preparing a national film retrospective program at La Cinémathèque Frantamaaise, Paris. A number of selected films will be curated with the producer association to be screened there.

Through this strategic collaboration, Indonesia targets the presence of national films at major festivals such as Cannes, Busan, Filmart, and Clermont-Ferrand.

At the end of the meeting, Fadli Zon officially invited Rachida Dati to come to the 2025 Chandi Summit Forum in Sanur, Bali. "We hope that your presence will strengthen collaboration and cultural innovation," concluded Fadli.