After The Gastroplomacy Series, The Indonesian Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Presents ALIF

Director of Public Diplomacy of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ani Nigeriawati. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is targeting to strengthen Indonesia's positive image to support the economy, by making a soft power diplomacy.

Speaking in a press statement at the "Arts Lumiere Indonesia Festival (ALIF): Muslim World Movie Screening 2025" which will be held in Jakarta on September 19-21, Director of Public Diplomacy of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ani Nigeriawati said the activity was part of the ministry's big vision of implementing a soft power diplomacy.

"So we have Indonesia's grand strategy soft power diplomacy which we emphasize on three things. First, strengthening Indonesia's positive image through various cultural products, creative economy. Second, supporting and strengthening Indonesia's leadership at the global level. And third, supporting economic growth," he explained in a press statement at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tuesday, September 16.

He explained that Indonesia's strength is not only in the context of cultural products, but talents from Indonesian human resources are increasing, many Indonesian youth talents in the field of cinema have now excelled in the international world.

"Our diaspora is now many people who are pursuing cinematographic fields and are a significant part of the production of international films like Hollywood and so on," explained Ani.

Ani explained, "Arts Lumiere Indonesia Festival (ALIF): Muslim World Movie Screening 2025" is the first initiation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the ALIF framework which we design annually as a cultural festival of OIC member countries initiated by the Government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"Why did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs take this initiative? We are the whole part of the implementation of foreign politics, in the implementation of diplomacy, and soft power diplomacy is an integral part of all of them," explained Ani regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' initiative in cultural diplomacy.

Ani believes that with the soft power of diplomacy and the principles of active free foreign politics, Indonesia can play more to be seen in the world.

Because this is the inaugural event under ALIF, Ani said that her party chose to focus on films. "InshaAllah, next year we will expand it with other cultural products, gastro (culinary), art and culture," he said.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also has a Gastroplomacy Series initiative. Not only visiting several places, we are building a diplomatic dashboard to achieve the target of 4000 restaurants," he said, adding restaurants were not only culinary issues, but also culture.

Ani added that her party would not stop until it was held this week alone. He plans to bring films in this activity to tour several places in Indonesia, at universities, campuses where there are studies about films.

This international film festival was attended by 16 member countries of the Islamic Cooperation Organization (OKI), including Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. The genres presented include documentaries, dramas, social dramas and fiction.

A total of 45 feature and short films will be screened in four locations, namely XXI Djakarta Theater, Jakarta State University, National Gallery and Jakarta Arts Building. Apart from screenings, there will also be discussions about films with filmmakers and academics.

"We are trying how Indonesia can become a center of excellence with international film festivals like this, which will provide added value in building a strong ecosystem in the film industry," concluded Ani.