Screenwest making reel connections in Indonesia!

Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grant recipient, Screenwest, recently delivered an industry briefing to key Indonesian organisations and companies highlighting Australian film and television talents in Jakarta.

Held at the Australian Embassy Jakarta, the event connected Screenwest with key industry representatives including Akatara, APROFI and InDocs and experienced Indonesian creatives.

“Screenwest is thrilled to connect with leading organisations and people from Indonesia and showcase the Australian screen industry’s achievements,” said Matthew Horrocks, Screenwest’s Head of Production and Development.

During the briefing, Mr Horrocks showcased recent Screenwest co-financed productions Breath, I Am Mother and Dying to Live, along with the Western Australian Regional Film Fund (WARFF), shooting locations, Australian screen agencies and Federal incentives.

Horrocks noted the Indonesian creative sector and the significant opportunities its innovative approach to technology presented for collaboration and connection between the Australian and Indonesian film industries.

“The Indonesian film industry is experiencing rapid growth. It’s one of the few places globally where film box office sales and corresponding local content share is increasing,” Mr Horrocks said. “As close neighbours it’s vital we work together to provide creatives and practitioners with international opportunities to bring regional stories from both countries to the screen.”

The Screenwest team also attended the opening of the Australian Embassy’s Festival Sinema Australia Indonesia (FSAI) 2019 which celebrates the best of Australian and Indonesian films and exposes Indonesian and ex-pat audiences to Australian stories. Highlights of the program included a special screening of Australian highlights from the Flickerfest Short Film Festival and a series of masterclasses across Indonesia by Paul Damien Williams, the director of acclaimed Australian documentary, Gurrumul.