Jakarta, IO – The Yogyakarta City Cultural Agency has once again hosted the 2024 Kotabaru Heritage Film Festival, held at SMAN 3 Yogyakarta’s field from August 9-11. The opening was made even more vibrant by 70 vendors at Pasar Kobar, offering a variety of culinary delights.
The festival premiered on Friday, August 9, with a special focus on shaping public perceptions of the past and future through artifacts and archives.
To mark the beginning of this second annual event, the iconic 1970s film “Cintaku di Kampus Biru,” directed by Ami Prijono, was screened, captivating the audience with its nostalgic charm.
Acting Assistant for General Administration of the Yogyakarta City Government Dedi Budiono emphasized that the event reinforces the city’s commitment to enhancing Yogyakarta’s competitiveness as a key destination for stakeholders, including tourists, to boost local prosperity. “This festival also honors cultural and film artists, celebrating cultural heritage as a foundational asset for building Yogyakarta’s competitiveness,” he explained.
Yetti Martanti, Head of Yogyakarta’s Cultural Agency, described the Kotabaru Heritage Film Festival as a significant platform to celebrate our cultural heritage through film. The event targets not only film enthusiasts but also the public, offering entertainment that spans the 1960s to the 1980s.
“This festival features various programs, including film screenings and competitions, a film story exhibition, Pasar Kobar, cinema dance, public lectures, and workshops,” she noted.
Yetti also highlighted the pivotal role of film in preserving and raising awareness of cultural heritage, as it serves as an effort to preserve history and strengthens the bond between past and future, while documenting a collective crucial memory.
“This year’s festival received 171 film submissions, selected for various screening programs, including competitions,” Yetti added.
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Participants ranged from students, the public and local governments across Indonesia. The festival also collaborated with the Thai Film Archive to enrich perspectives on broader Asian cultural heritage.
“There are four competition categories: National Cultural Heritage, Cinematic Cultural Narratives, Student Cultural Themes and local government entries,” Yetti shared.
Each selected film offers a unique perspective on our cultural heritage. “From all the entries, we’ve learned a valuable lesson: cultural heritage never grows in isolation but always evolves through openness and interaction,” Yetti concluded. (des)