Nadiem Makarim Announces Ties with Netflix on Film

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Education and Culture Ministry has established a partnership with the U.S. online streaming service Netflix to develop the Indonesian film industry through various programs of capacity building, said Minister Nadiem Makarim.

“The partnership launched today is the first stage of the innovative cultural programs,” said Nadiem in a press release at the ministry’s building, Central Jakarta, Thursday, January 9.

Nadiem explained that the ties would focus on showing the national capacity in the film and culture industry to the global stage. Netflix, he added, was committed to providing US$1 billion to fund the partnership programs that would be executed in the near future.

“This is the beginning. But we are eager and waiting for the positive impact of developing the film industry so our cultures are known in the global. I thank Netflix and Culture Directorate General.”

As for the first program, the minister said it was expected to create thousands of storytellers. Netflix will establish training of scientific script writing for 15 selected people in Los Angeles, U.S. Training for 100 scriptwriters will also be held in Indonesia.

The other programs include a short film competition with the theme of Pancasila. “A budget for film production worth US$600,000 is set for the prize.”

Nadiem Makarim added that Netflix would establish an online safety workshop on responsible consumption and development of government policy in a bid to prepare society to face the 4.0 revolution and develop the creative industry.

HALIDA BUNGA