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here is good news for film fans in the country. In a decision likely to end the 7-month drought of major Hollywood films in the country, the government appointed Omega Film as the new importer of films from major Hollywood studios, an interest group said.

 Djonny Sjafruddin, the head of the Indonesian Union of Cinema Owners (GPBSI), said at a press briefing Saturday that both the government and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the umbrella group for six major Hollywood studios, had agreed to allow Omega Film to import and distribute Hollywood films, including the much-anticipated Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon.

“Hollywood films will hit theaters late this month. Those two films have passed local censors and Harry Potter will be screened first,” he said.

The Film Censorship Body (LSF) said earlier the two summer blockbusters had passed the censorship and were ready to be distributed.

 Djonny said Omega was currently reproducing 99 copies of Harry Potter so it could be screened across the country. “If it does not disrupt scheduled screenings of local films, we will also screen Transformers.”

Djony refused to comment on speculation that Omega Film was set up by PT Camila Internusa Film, the previous Hollywood film importer that owed the government billions in taxes.

He said there were now 17 film importers in the country.

Dian Sunardi Munaf, the marketing director of theater operator Blitz Megaplex, said although Blitz was not a member of the GPBSI, it would also screen Harry Potter on July 29.

Earlier, Customs and Excise Office chief Agung Kuswandono said one foreign film importer has paid Rp 9 billion (US$1 million) in back taxes and was now allowed to resume importing films. (msa)