The award night was held at the Jakarta Convention Center on Saturday and livestreamed through YouTube and social media platforms.

It was the first time in the history of the film industry a horror movie had gotten such recognition thus marking the sensational achievement this genre has booked the past decade in amassing a large number of viewers.

The potential of the Indonesian horror film genre, which has its own DNA coming from the rich folklore, ancestral beliefs and urban myths, is on its way to getting global recognition as Impetigore was submitted to represent the country at the 2021 Academy Awards.

Joko, who won Best Director for the box office film, reminded fellow filmmakers that every film genre has the same chance to contribute to the development of the Indonesian film industry.

“With hard work, undivided dedication and passion for work we could raise Indonesian films higher, appealing to our viewers and the international community,” he said in his winning speech.

“[The pandemic] halted us right at the time when Indonesian films were at their peak. We’ve got the viewers’ faith in quality films and we should not return with films that may lose their trust in Indonesian films.

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