Indonesia is officially targeting Country of Honor status at Cannes in 2028.
Culture Minister Fadli Zon, speaking to Variety at Cannes, laid out a sweeping strategy to move Indonesia from the margins of the international screen industry toward what he describes as a central and influential role within it.
“That is not only about prestige, but about creating a larger international platform for Indonesian cinema, culture, and creative talent,” Zon says of the 2028 ambition.
The push comes at a moment when Indonesia’s film industry is generating outstanding local box office but hasn’t yet converted that momentum into consistent international breakthrough. Zon frames the ministry’s response around expanding global distribution and export capacity, broadening festival access for regional filmmakers, and building more competitive incentive structures — areas he identifies as active policy priorities.
On tax incentives and production rebates, an area where competitors including South Korea and Thailand have moved aggressively, Zon acknowledges Indonesia is still developing its architecture. “Yes, we recognize that incentives and rebates are increasingly important in the global film industry, particularly as countries compete to attract international productions, investment, and creative partnerships,” he says, adding that the ministry is studying international models while ensuring any scheme delivers measurable impact for local talent development and economic value creation. In the interim, the government has established matching fund schemes and collaborative financing models designed to strengthen partnerships between Indonesian filmmakers and global industry players. In parallel, the ministry draws on Dana IndonesiaRaya, the country’s cultural endowment fund, which supports talent development, production assistance, international mobility, and festival participation.
