Volatility in Indonesia's Cinema Market: A 2025 Overview

Indonesia's cinema market is facing notable volatility in 2025, characterized by fluctuating box office numbers despite some significant successes. At the JAFF Market panel titled “Expert Witnesses: Indonesia’s Box Office Transformation as Seen From Home and Abroad,” industry leaders discussed the challenges and opportunities within the sector. Angga Dwimas Sasongko, a prominent filmmaker and CEO of Visinema, highlighted that while the animated feature “Jumbo” achieved nearly 11 million admissions, setting a record as the country’s all-time box office champion, other months saw ticket sales plummet below 3 million. This disparity underscores the unpredictable nature of audience engagement in the current market.

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Sasongko noted that the production of “Jumbo” spanned seven years, reflecting a strategic pivot among Indonesian producers towards sustainable growth that extends beyond domestic theatrical revenue. He advocated for industry restructuring, proposing a cap of 160 films annually to mitigate market oversaturation. This suggestion indicates a recognition of the need for a more balanced approach to film production in Indonesia.

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Todd Brown, a producer and former head of international acquisitions at XYZ Films, emphasized the ongoing challenges in the exhibition sector. Despite the growth from one major cinema chain 15 years ago to three today, Indonesia remains significantly under-screened, with average ticket prices below $3, compared to over $8 in Thailand. This pricing structure complicates large-scale infrastructure investments necessary for the market's expansion.

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While the baseline production quality in Indonesia has improved considerably, Brown pointed out that the pool of internationally recognized talent has not expanded significantly. He remarked, “We’re still talking about the same people” from 15 years ago, indicating a stagnation in the emergence of new filmmakers capable of achieving international acclaim. He called for enhanced knowledge-sharing between established and emerging filmmakers to foster growth and innovation in the industry.

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The current distribution model in Indonesia is notably unique, characterized by a ban on dubbing foreign films and a favorable 50-50 revenue-sharing structure with exhibitors. This framework has rendered traditional distributors largely irrelevant, allowing for a more direct producer-to-cinema distribution model. This shift has implications for how films are marketed and distributed within the country, potentially affecting the overall landscape of Indonesian cinema.

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As Indonesia's cinema market navigates these complexities in 2025, the combination of box office volatility, strategic production shifts, and evolving distribution dynamics presents both challenges and opportunities for industry stakeholders. The ongoing dialogue among filmmakers and producers will be crucial in shaping the future of Indonesian cinema.

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