RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and France are strengthening their cultural partnership by expanding cooperation in the film and audiovisual sectors, with a focus on talent development, film preservation, and sustainable industry growth. The initiative reflects both countries' commitment to translating cultural diplomacy into tangible collaboration with global impact.

According to a statement from Indonesia's Ministry of Culture, Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon met with French Ambassador to Indonesia, Fabien Penone and representatives of France's Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée (CNC) in Jakarta. The meeting followed up on the Borobudur Declaration, or Joint Cultural Strategy, agreed upon by the Presidents of Indonesia and France in May 2025, as well as discussions between the two countries' culture ministers in Paris in April 2026.

Based on the release received by RRI Voice of Indonesia, Sunday, July 12, 2026, Fadli Zon said the film and audiovisual sector offers one of the strongest opportunities to deepen cultural cooperation between Indonesia and France. “For Indonesia, the film and audiovisual sector is one of the most important fields for translating the Indonesia–France cultural partnership into tangible impact. We are fully committed to strengthening the film ecosystem, both by preserving our cinematic heritage through archiving and restoration, and by investing in the future through film talent incubation,” he said.

During the meeting, both sides discussed a range of strategic initiatives, including film governance, human resource development, sustainable financing, co-production, animation development, intellectual property protection, and the preservation of film heritage through archiving and restoration. The discussions are expected to create a stronger institutional foundation for long-term collaboration between the two countries' film industries.

Fadli also reaffirmed the Ministry of Culture's commitment to strengthening Indonesia's national film institutions, including enhancing the role of the newly established Indonesian Film Board (BPI). “We want to build a more independent and sustainable film financing mechanism, including exploring the possibility of establishing an endowment fund or other long-term financing schemes. France's CNC serves as an important reference for Indonesia in strengthening its national film ecosystem,” he said.

A key outcome of the meeting was the preparation of the third Indonesia–France Film Lab, scheduled for November 2026 in Yogyakarta as part of the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) Market. The program will feature screenplay workshops and mentorship from France's prestigious La Fémis film school, while CNC will host the first Indonesia–France co-production forum in Paris in December 2026 to connect filmmakers and industry professionals from both countries.

French Ambassador Fabien Penone welcomed Indonesia's commitment to expanding cultural cooperation through cinema and reaffirmed France's readiness to support talent development, industry collaboration, and knowledge exchange. “This collaboration is also very important for us because, in today's increasingly complex world, we must continue to preserve and support local creativity by having institutions dedicated to safeguarding film heritage,” Penone said.

The strengthened partnership is expected to expand international opportunities for emerging Indonesian filmmakers while reinforcing film institutions and preserving cinematic heritage in both countries. By combining expertise in film production, preservation, and financing, Indonesia and France aim to build a more competitive and sustainable creative industry with stronger global connections.