INDONESIA is set to host the ASEAN Film Festival in a bid to promote the country as a filmmaking destination, and to heighten international awareness of its cultural and tourism products.
The festival, which will take place in Bali from November 16-17, will showcase one film from each of the 10 ASEAN member countries.
Indonesia Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Eka Pangestu said: “Indonesia would like to broaden co-operation and share information about the potential the country has to offer as a venue for filmmaking.”
She added: “More than just being a venue, Indonesia wants to participate more in developing films, which in turn will develop tourism. A new film studio, the biggest in South-east Asia, has just opened in Batam, providing space for indoor, outdoor and beach film locations. A school for stuntmen is also in the works.
“We hope that international film producers will partner with Indonesian filmmakers to produce their films in Indonesia.”
Indonesia has seen recent success in its efforts to promote the country’s tourism products through international films, with Bali gaining in popularity following the filming of the Hollywood movie Eat, Pray, Love there last year (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 10).
This year alone, there are 99 international film producers making their films in Indonesia, three of which are movies—The Philosopher, Java Hits and Alex Cross, according to Pangestu.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs director general of ASEAN, Djauhari Oratmangun, said: “Promoting film locations for tourism is part of our programme. We are planning to invite ambassadors from friendly countries on a tour to Belitung, Wakatobi and Maluku, where Indonesian films have been made.”
Some of these films such as Denias, Senandung di atas Awan (Denias, a Song from the Sky) and Laskar Pelangi have been promoted overseas at various international film festivals.
