Amidst the roaring growth of audiences that has broken records year after year, the Indonesian film industry is now at a crucial crossroads. Domestic box office figures reaching 49 million viewers by August 2024 signal an undeniable vitality. However, behind this euphoria, a fundamental question is beginning to emerge: can this momentum be sustained? And how can Jakarta, as the heart of the national film industry, transform this energy into a solid foundation for becoming a global-scale cinema hub?
These were the core questions of the discussion session “The Foundation for Jakarta as a Cinema Hub,” which brought together four pillars of the ecosystem: Linda Gozali (Producer, Magma Entertainment & Director of JAFF Film Market), Andhika Permata (Head of the Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency), Rina Damayanti (Festival Director, Jakarta Film Week), and Edwin Nazir (Chairman of APROFI), with Redemptus Rangga Raditya (KE-JKT and CEO of Rangkai.id) as the moderator. Their conversation not only highlighted achievements but also dissected the infrastructure—both tangible and intangible—needed to map out Jakarta’s long road ahead.
Known to the World: The Result of a Two-Decade Collective Struggle
The popularity of Indonesian films on the international stage, especially the horror genre, is no coincidence. Linda Gozali opened the discussion by asserting that this is the fruit of a collective struggle by filmmakers since the early 2000s. “It took more than 20 years for Indonesia to no longer be asked, ‘Where is Indonesia on the map?’” she revealed. In the past, the national identity was often reduced to “Oh, Bali?”. Now, the international film market proactively asks, “Hey, what Indonesian horror films can we buy?”
The phenomenal growth of the domestic audience post-pandemic has also been a major pillar. Cinemas have once again become communal spaces where audiences seek a shared, communal experience. However, Linda warned the industry not to get complacent. “For five years, we’ve continuously surpassed box office records. But for how long?” she asked, stressing the need to build a sustainable industry foundation, not just ride a wave of momentary euphoria.
Weaving the Ecosystem: Festivals, Markets, and a Film Commission
A mature cinema city cannot stand on a single pillar. It requires an integrated ecosystem where festivals, film markets, and a film commission are all interwoven. Rina Damayanti explained how Jakarta Film Week (JFW), now entering its fifth year, strives to be part of the larger movement towards Jakarta’s vision as a global city. “What we need is sustained support,” she emphasized. JFW is not just a showcase but also an incubator that prepares human resources through capacity-building programs, meeting the global industry’s demand for quality local talent.
This common thread was picked up by Linda Gozali through her experience initiating the JAFF Film Market. A film market, she said, is a transactional space where art meets capital. The success of the JAFF Market in Jogja—which spawned projects like Jumbo and Bandits of Batavia—demonstrates the massive potential for a content market. “Last year, the potential deal amount reached 18 billion Rupiah with participation from 19 countries,” she stated, playfully suggesting to the Head of the Tourism Agency that they create a “JAFF Market: Jakarta Edition.”
The bridge connecting all of this, according to Edwin Nazir from APROFI, is a Jakarta Film Commission. However, he stressed that this commission is not the final answer, but rather a vessel for creating supportive policies. “The answer lies in various government policies that support the industry’s growth,” he said. The most pressing issue right now is licensing, but in the long term, the discussion will shift to more complex areas, such as support for art-house cinemas or genre diversity.
“Filming in Jakarta”: A Concrete Step from the Government
Responding to these aspirations, Andhika Permata outlined the concrete steps being developed by the Jakarta Provincial Government. The initiation of a Jakarta Film Commission is now a priority, with a vision to be an institution that is flexible, agile, and does not add to bureaucracy. “It should be enough to go through the Jakarta Film Commission to make a film in Jakarta, just like making a film abroad,” he explained.
Furthermore, Andhika launched the Filming in Jakarta platform, a one-stop portal designed to simplify the production process in the capital, from location permits to accommodation needs. As a significant non-fiscal incentive, he announced a policy from the Governor and Deputy Governor: “For filming on assets owned by city-owned enterprises and the Provincial Government, the fee is zero.”
This policy addresses one of the biggest complaints from foreign producers looking to shoot in Indonesia. As Linda highlighted, “Money is never an issue. They have the money, but they don’t know who they need to pay.” The convoluted licensing complexity has caused Indonesia to lose many opportunities that ultimately went to Bangkok or Malaysia.
In the end, this discussion affirmed that the foundation for Jakarta as a cinema city is built on collective awareness. It is not just about producing box-office hits, but also about creating an ecosystem that is investment-friendly, has clear regulations, and possesses human resources ready to compete on the global stage. With synergy between industry players and the government, Jakarta’s path to becoming a host for world cinema now feels more tangible and measurable.
