Indonesia and France Strengthen Film Sector Collaboration through Networking Event
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Ministry of Culture of Indonesia hosted the French–Indonesia Film Networking Night on Wednesday, bringing together key players from the film industries of both countries to explore and advance opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the cinematic and visual arts sectors.
In a statement released on Thursday, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon expressed optimism about the event’s outcomes, stating, “I hope this event can facilitate idea exchanges, networking, strengthen discussions, and pave the way for fruitful collaboration between us.”
The networking night follows the recent high-level meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron in Magelang, Central Java. On the sidelines of that meeting, Minister Zon signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the French Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC), marking a significant milestone in cultural diplomacy.
The LoI aims to expand creative opportunities for youth, artistic talents, and institutions in both countries. Through this initiative, the Ministry of Culture seeks to deepen collaboration with CNC across several strategic areas in the film and visual media sectors.
Key components of the partnership include:
- Co-productions of feature films, animations, documentaries, and immersive content
- Residency and fellowship programs for filmmakers, animators, and visual artists
- Professional exchanges and technical training in CGI, VFX, and immersive media
- Curatorial partnerships for film festivals and exhibitions in both countries
- Academic collaborations between film schools and media institutions
- Digital distribution partnerships, including online platforms and innovative formats
- Joint funding mechanisms for cross-cultural and experimental creative projects
- Promotion of filming locations and studio collaborations for international productions
- Producers Lab to support project incubation, mentorship, and global market access
Minister Zon emphasized that these initiatives would not only foster institutional partnerships but also strengthen people-to-people ties between Indonesia and France through culture, education, and creativity.
He further highlighted Indonesia’s upcoming participation in the Cultural Summit in Paris, hosted by French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, which will coincide with Bastille Day celebrations, where President Prabowo is scheduled to attend as guest of honor.
“We are ready to share knowledge and collaborate on the power of culture. Together, we can transform the cultural industry into peace, resilience, and shared prosperity that transcends national boundaries and generations,” Zon concluded.
