JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Culture held the SANFFEST 2025 Award Night at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta on Sunday, December 21. This first santri film festival immediately recorded a big achievement: 125 films from 115 pesantren in 20 provinces.
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that SANFFEST is not just a festival, but a gateway for students to enter the national film ecosystem and Indonesian cultural diplomacy. The theme "From the Window of the Student, Looking at the World" is said to mark a change in the role of students in the creative space.
"This is not a slogan. Students have great potential to become actors of cultural diplomacy through films," said Fadli Zon.
SANFFEST 2025 awards are given in 10 main categories. The film Iman and Imam by the Salafiyah Syafi'iyah Sukorejo Islamic Boarding School, Situbondo, won the Best Story Film, Best Director, and Best Fashion and Makeup awards.
The Best Screenplay Award was won by the film Sampaikanlah from Pondok Pesantren Lirboyo. The Best Artistic Director fell to Zahra from PP MA Zainul Hasan 1 Genggong. Best Cinematography and Best Male Actor were won by Seven Days After Mr. Died by PP Bahrul Huda.
Meanwhile, the Best Picture Editor was won by Kesempatan from PP Modern Khalifah. The Best Actress award went to Iqob (Hukuman) by PP Darul Arqam Gombara Makassar. Best Sound Designer was won by Raja(h) Terakhir from PP Al Hidayah Karangploso.
Fadli Zon considers film as the most effective soft power instrument in introducing Indonesian culture to the world. With more than 42 thousand pesantren, he said SANFFEST has the opportunity to grow into a new force for national film based on cultural roots. "Indonesia is not only diverse, but mega diversity. Santri film can be a bridge to the world," he said.
The SANFFEST 2025 Awards Night was attended by a number of national figures, filmmakers, and cultural stakeholders. The Ministry of Culture ensures that SANFFEST will be developed with cross-sectoral collaboration so that students are stronger on the national and global film stage.
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