Speaking at the opening ceremony at Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School in Jakarta on Sunday, Zon said SANFFEST 2025 is expected to promote Indonesia’s cultural heritage and provide a platform for creative expression, particularly through film.
“Through SANFFEST 2025, we hope to introduce the centuries-old traditions of pesantren to the public—not only as local heritage, but as a cultural movement that connects Indonesia with the world,” Zon said.
He noted that the festival offers a creative space for students (santri) to share their perspectives through film, which he described as a medium uniquely capable of conveying diverse cultural elements.
“Film is a powerful medium because it brings together acting, literature, music, and even tangible cultural products such as cuisine, fashion, and traditional textiles,” he explained.
Zon also underscored the potential of film as a form of soft power, a cultural tool that can reach audiences across borders. He encouraged santri to use culture as an effective medium for Islamic preaching (dakwah), especially in the era of globalization.
“With over 42,000 pesantren in Indonesia, I believe there is enormous creative potential waiting to be discovered. Many talents will emerge from these institutions. Film can also serve as a medium for dakwah,” he said.
He expressed hope that this inaugural edition of SANFFEST would feature workshops organized by the Ministry of Culture’s Directorate of Film, Music, and Arts, covering talent management, scriptwriting, and guidance on building a sustainable film ecosystem.
By investing in human capital, Zon expects santri to be empowered as young filmmakers capable of producing short films, feature films, and other cinematic works that can compete on both national and international stages.
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Translator: Fitra, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Primayanti
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