Jakarta seeks global cinema hub status with Busan as benchmark

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung expressed optimism that the Indonesian metropolis can establish itself as an internationally recognized film hub, citing South Korea’s cinema capital of Busan as a primary benchmark, officials said Tuesday.

Speaking at the opening of the Jakarta Film Summit, Anung emphasized that the city possesses the necessary infrastructure to scale its creative economy and host major international productions.

"I place great hope in our team to take real and meaningful action. Hopefully, one day, mentioning Jakarta will evoke the same cinematic stature as Busan," Anung said during the conference in Jakarta.

Anung pointed to Jakarta's strong global rankings, including its position in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026—where it ranked 15th worldwide for public transportation—as evidence of the city's operational readiness to support major film projects.

To realize this vision, the governor called on industry stakeholders to build a robust local ecosystem capable of attracting foreign investment, top-tier creative talent, modern production facilities, and global distribution networks.

"Most importantly, the films produced must deliver real benefits and instill pride among the people of Jakarta," Anung added.

Co-organized by the Jakarta Provincial Government and Bank Indonesia, the summit focuses on policy reforms, including streamlining filming permits, introducing production incentives, and granting access to public assets as filming locations.

Bank Indonesia official Iwan Setiawan noted that expanding the creative industry is essential as Jakarta transitions into a service-driven economy, highlighting the film sector's wide supply chain and its capacity to stimulate local businesses, hospitality, and logistics.

Translator: Lifia Putri, Uyu Liman
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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