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Movie groups support greater foreign investment
A scene from Richard Ohâs film âMelancholy is a Movementâ, which presents powerful quips and ironic commentary on the countryâs chaotic and unpredictable film industry
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A scene from Richard Ohâs film âMelancholy is a Movementâ, which presents powerful quips and ironic commentary on the countryâs chaotic and unpredictable film industry. At least 11 local film associations have announced support for the government's plan to revise the negative investment list (DNI), to allow 100 percent foreign ownership in certain sectors, including in the film industry. (Photo courtesy of Metafor Pictures Production) (DNI), to allow 100 percent foreign ownership in certain sectors, including in the film industry. (Photo courtesy of Metafor Pictures Production)
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span class="inline inline-center">A scene from Richard Oh's film 'Melancholy is a Movement', which presents powerful quips and ironic commentary on the country's chaotic and unpredictable film industry. At least 11 local film associations have announced support for the government's plan to revise the negative investment list (DNI), to allow 100 percent foreign ownership in certain sectors, including in the film industry. (Photo courtesy of Metafor Pictures Production)
At least 11 local film associations have announced support for the government's plan to revise the negative investment list (DNI), to allow greater foreign ownership in certain sectors, including the film industry.
Previously, the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) and the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) revealed plans to open the cinema-chain business to foreign investors, saying that the involvement of foreign investors would help develop the country's cinema industry.
At present, foreign direct investment is only allowed to account for up to 49 percent ownership of companies providing technical assistance in movie-related production. According to Presidential Regulation No. 39/2014 on the DNI, cinema operators, film-production houses, film distribution and film and movie promotion are still closed to foreign investment.
Removing the film industry from the DNI, film industry spokespersons said, would provide greater access to investment; increase the number of films, screens and quality; improve local film workers' capacity and competence standards through transfers of knowledge and technology; and open new opportunities for local filmmakers and producers to distribute their works worldwide.
'What the Indonesian film industry needs right now is growth, which can only be achieved by providing more investment to produce more films of better quality,' film director Angga Sasongko told a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The associations also urged the government to make the necessary preparations so that the DNI revision will run effectively and to provide safety nets for local film business players.
Film director Joko Anwar said that Indonesia could learn from China regarding the matter.
"The film industry in China has grown over 40 percent in just one decade since its government decided to allow foreign investment in the Chinese film business," said Joko.
Indonesia reportedly has around 1,117 screens nationwide, with privately owned Cinema 21 owning the largest number.
According to research conducted by filmindonesia.or.id in 2014, only 13 percent of Indonesians had access to cinemas, as up to 87 percent of the screens are located in Java, of which 35 percent are situated in the capital city.
The Association of Indonesian Film Producers (PPFI) chairman Manoj Punjabi said Indonesia needed at least 3,000 to 5,000 screens to be able to achieve the target number of viewers.
"The only way to gain 20 million viewers for one Indonesian film is to add as many more screens and film theaters as possible," said Manoj. (kes)(+)
