JAKARTA - Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon encourages Indonesian films to penetrate the global stage by making national cultural wealth a major strength. According to Fadli, films are not just entertainment, but the most effective tool to introduce Indonesian identity to the world.
"One of the platforms to introduce Indonesian culture in the midst of world civilization is film," said Fadli Zon when opening the 76th National Film Day at the Screen X Studio, CGV Grand Indonesia, Jakarta, Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Menbud Fadli emphasized that the film contains many cultural expressions at once, ranging from acting, music, dance, literature, language, to traditions and cuisine. Therefore, the film is considered to have a great impetus as a nation's soft power.
He said Indonesia has strong capital to compete at the world level. With more than 1,300 ethnic groups and hundreds of regional languages, Indonesia has a rich and untapped source of stories.
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon photo together before watching the film "Blood and Prayer". (IST)
The government is now encouraging the strengthening of the film ecosystem through national talent management, funding support, and facilitating filmmakers to international film festivals. This step is aimed at expanding access, raising production quality, and strengthening the position of Indonesian films in the global market.
"In the future, we hope that the cultural economy and the cultural industry, including the film industry, can continue to grow," said Fadli.
The 2026 National Film Day commemoration was held through a joint viewing of Darah dan Doa, a work by Usmar Ismail which became a milestone in national film history in 1950.
Chairman of the Film Censorship Agency Naswardi said that the preservation of national films continues, including through the restoration of classic films. He assessed that the recovery of Blood and Prayer was important so that important Indonesian film works could continue to be enjoyed across generations.
Director Joko Anwar added that the future of Indonesian films is determined by the ability to tell honest stories that are rooted in the reality of society. According to Joko, Indonesia has a great opportunity to become the largest film market in Southeast Asia as well as a supplier of authentic stories that can speak on a global level.
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