Minister Of Tourism And Creative Economy: Film Sub-sector PEN Stimulus Disbursed Rp114, 88 Billion

Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno said the stimulus for the National Economic Recovery Program (PEN) for the film sub-sector has been disbursed amounting to Rp. 114.88 billion to date.

The assistance is projected to absorb 14,671 direct or creative workers.

The film sub-sector PEN Program was provided in the form of assistance for promotion schemes, production schemes, and pre-production schemes for national films, one of which was the film Cadet 1947.

"We hope that the film Cadet 1947 will be a moment of revival for our film industry, especially because it is sponsored by the film sub-sector PEN," said Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno at the 1947 Cadet Watch event in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Sunday, December 19.

According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted all sectors, one of which is the film sector, thus hampering the progress of the industry and making films seem to be running in place.

Many film workers lost their income and source of income because production activities had stopped, as well as the implementation of the Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) which lasted for several months and resulted in the closure of cinemas as the largest income source for the Indonesian film industry.

With a long process, continued Sandiaga, now cinemas have finally started operating again, but still with the obligation to implement health protocols so that watching activities in cinemas continue to be safe and comfortable.

This is expected to have a positive impact on the film industry, because cinemas contribute about 90 percent of film distribution revenue sources in Indonesia.

"We are very excited and appreciate the work of the nation's children in the midst of the current pandemic," said the Menparekraf.