Indonesia's Ministry of Culture selects 20 films on heroic history

The Indonesian Ministry of Culture has officially launched the 2026 Heroic Narrative Film Production Program, selecting 20 works to depict historical events from the 1945–1950 period. The selection includes seven feature films and 13 short films.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon stated that the program aims to strengthen the national film ecosystem and preserve the nation's collective memory by narrating historical struggles that are not widely known. The chosen films cover various aspects of the era, including battles, diplomacy, and the struggles of the press and local communities.

The selected feature films include titles such as ‘Barisan Penghibur’, ‘Hoegeng: Yang Ada Tinggal Nama’, ‘Rengasdengklok’, ‘Kapal Selam Kalibayam’, ‘Sakura di Telawang’, ‘Rai’, and ‘Pintu Tertutup’. The 13 short films will cover diverse regional and historical themes.

All projects underwent a rigorous selection process involving production houses, script pitching, and verification by a jury of historians, academics, and film professionals. The finished works are intended for distribution across cinemas, digital platforms, educational settings, and international film festivals.