In collaboration with the Indonesian Film Agency (BPI), the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) has begun discussions on challenges faced by film workers in the country and prepared protocols to rescue the film industry reeling from the impact of the pandemic.
"COVID-19 has posed severe challenges to the film industry, not only cinema but also production. We are providing various protocols to deal with the new conditions," Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Wishnutama Kusubandio stated during a virtual conference on Wednesday.
After drafting, a protocol will be tested to cover health and safety aspects.
"If the protocol is ready, we will conduct simulations and trials, as economic life must continue. This is prepared for ensuring better conditions than what they are today," he explained.
Meanwhile, Dewi Umaya, deputy chairperson of BPI, remarked that her party had, until now, continued to coordinate with the government to prepare protocols that will later be forwarded to stakeholders.
"After being compiled in the near future, the stakeholders will be notified on it. These protocols must undoubtedly be in accordance with all parties. Later, this protocol will be sent to the government and seen by the Task Force," Umaya remarked.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency lauded the inventions and new trends started by the nation's creative minds that have chosen to be productive in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acting Deputy of Digital Economy and Creative Products Joshua Simandjuntak had earlier stated that all sub-sectors of the creative economy were bearing a major brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, he noted that the situation was no longer merely a health emergency but also an economic emergency.
To this end, he lauded creative individuals, who are able to adapt and also create new trends and opportunities.
"In a situation like today, we need to stay productive, even within our limitations, and right now, we need to adapt," he noted.
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He took note of the effort initiated by photographer Heret Frasthio, who promoted the #ShootFromHome method to encourage photographers to continue to work and create. The method was later adopted in other creative fields, such as videography, and led to collaborations.
"It started from creativity and became a positive action, a solution to how creative people can remain productive," Simandjuntak pointed out.
Simandjuntak was one of the speakers at the "Collabonation" online discussion held on Tuesday, April 28, in which the other attendees comprised Director Raesaka, Creative Director Anton Yudhistira, Founder of Creative Hub Nicholas, and Head of Indosat Ooredoo's Brand Management and Strategy Fahroni Arifin.
Joshua noted that the ministry had encouraged other creative economy sub-sectors to undertake similar efforts while also echoing the government’s readiness to assist them.
"Not only must this breakthrough be duplicated, but one must also strive to ensure how this outlook can be maintained in order to continually seek creative solutions. We are here to provide help, become facilitators, and bring together various parties, so that information on solutions created by our friends can be disseminated and developed in other sectors," he remarked. Related news: Indonesia offers investment in film industry to China
Translator: Maria C, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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