The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy  is providing assistance to the film industry for promoting and producing films in the midst of the pandemic, which has delayed many productions and screenings, an official said.

The ministry’s deputy for the digital economy and creative economy, Neil Al Himam, said that the ministry has launched a program to promote feature films, as a form of government assistance for National Economic Recovery.

“We promote 40 feature films that can be promoted until the end of the year, the films can be screened in the following year,” Himam said at the Wardaya Business Expo 2021 webinar on Friday.

The government has also provided assistance so that films from communities outside Jakarta can be produced, he added.

“There is government assistance for the production of about 60 films that can be assisted, this is specifically for the regional film community,” he informed. Apart from assistance for promotion and production, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is currently seeking assistance for licensing the distribution rights of films in inventory, he added.

This will allow the films to be shown in cinemas immediately, he explained.

“Hopefully, next year when the films are out, the government can show them non-commercially at events, festivals,” Himam said.

Support for filmmakers is also being provided through regular programs, one of which is SCENE (Masterclass for Film Scenario Development), which has been held to groom new talent in the country in writing screenplays for television and film content, he informed.

He said that the ministry has also encouraged the opening of cinemas when conditions improve so that they can resume operations and encourage the film industry.

A number of cinemas in Indonesia have resumed operations, with maximum attendance capped at 50 percent.

Cinema managers have set requirements for visitors to maintain health and safety, such as by mandating health protocols and vaccinations.

Source: Antara News