At the closing of the 18th Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) in Denpasar, Saturday (June 7), Zon acknowledged the great contribution of the film sector in introducing Indonesian culture.
"Film is one of the media to promote (our) culture because there are many cultural elements or cultural expressions in addition to acting. There is literature in it, dance, music as well as culinary -- so this is a very important choice for promoting culture," he said.
He noted the significant growth of Indonesian film ecosystem, with 81 million viewers of cinema screenings or 67 percent of cinema in Indonesia in 2024.
This achievement, he continued, was also supported by the active participation of Indonesian filmmakers to showcase their works at various international film festivals.
Therefore, he encouraged various parties to participate in promoting the Indonesian film industry, including through Balinale -- which was held on a private initiative.
"We want more film festivals to grow in the regions. Those festivals can help bring up our life stories, and most importantly it can be opportunity for networking,” Zon noted.
Considering Indonesia’s cultural diversity, he said, the country has many stories to share to the global audiences through films.
"There are so many stories, our stories are extraordinary, because I see Indonesia as megadiversity. Indonesia is very diverse in culture, we have so many stories to share,” he added.
Founder and Director of the Balinale Deborah Gabinetti said that in line with the government’s purpose, she has been running the festival for the past 18 years to promote Indonesia’s cultural wealth.
“What’s interesting is that Indonesia already has all of that art, you are born with all of that. My job is to present programs that might be able to help maintain that creativity and opportunity, and bring it to the international stage," she said.
She ensured that through the festival, international filmmakers consider Indonesia for projects, learn about stories and see that Indonesia has a viable industry.
"Indonesia has a viable industry to support big productions. We want to bring in more, we are in the development project later see how we introduce Indonesia because there is no other place more diverse in the world," Gabinetti added.
In the 18th Balinale, the committee determined the winners from a total of 72 films from 32 countries, including the short documentary category for Hope by Eros Zhao, the short narrative category, for The Boy with White Skin by Simon Panay and A Lifelike Fairytale by Rinaldas Tomaševiius.
The festival also presented awards in various categories, including Best Short Animation for Retirement Plan by John Kelly and Crow, Starfish Unicorn by Xiaoxuan Han, Best Long Documentary for Champions of the Golden Valley by Ben Sturgulewski, and Best Long Narrative for Seeking Haven for Mr Rambo by Khaled Mansour.
Additionally, the Gary L. Hayes Award for Emerging Indonesian Filmmaker was awarded to Suintrah by Ayesha Alma Almera, while the Committee Choice Award went to Ravens by Mark Gill.
Related news: Government committed to supporting Indonesian films to go global
Translator: Ni Putu Putri Muliantari, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Primayanti
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