The BPI confirmed his passing on Monday through its official Instagram account, @badan_perfilman_indonesia, expressing condolences and honoring his lifelong dedication to Indonesian cinema.
“He was a loyal friend who dedicated his life to the film industry he deeply loved,” the post said.
Gunawan was widely known as a driving force in Indonesian film since the 1980s.
According to the Indonesian Film Artists Association (PARFI), represented by Evry Joe, he began his career in 1984 as a screenwriter with the Teater Populer Film Workshop, before earning recognition from renowned director Teguh Karya, who later entrusted him with editing work.
In the early 1990s, Gunawan founded the production house Kino Lima, which produced Potret, a feature film that earned 13 nominations at the 1993 Indonesian Film Festival (FFI). His first documentary, Pacu Jalur, was also nominated at the 1992 FFI.
He went on to receive further recognition, including nominations for Best Poster Design at FFI 1993 and Best Editor at the 1998 Indonesian Television Festival (FSI).
A versatile filmmaker, Gunawan directed at least four feature films — Issue, Syahadat Cinta, Mata Pena Mata Hari Raja Ali Haji, and Danum Penjaga Mata Air — along with hundreds of television serials that helped shape Indonesia’s entertainment industry through the 1990s and 2000s.
From 2002 to 2007, he served as president director of PT Kalibrasi Gambar Hidup, a film production company.
Beyond filmmaking, Gunawan championed film literacy and professionalism. He chaired the writing team for 99 Career Opportunities in Film Production and led the drafting of Indonesia’s National Work Competency Standards (SKKNI) for the film sector.
He also chaired the Indonesian Film and Television Employees Association (KFT) for the 2019–2024 term.
Gunawan Paggaru’s passing marks a major loss for the Indonesian film community. He is remembered as a tireless advocate who strengthened the creative and professional foundations of national cinema.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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