Jakarta, Sept. 7 -- Minister of Culture Fadli Zon officially launched the 2025 Santri Film Festival (SANFFEST), a program designed to encourage the emergence of new filmmakers from Indonesia's Islamic boarding school (pesantren) communities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony at Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School in Jakarta on Sunday, Zon said SANFFEST 2025 is expected to promote Indonesia's cultural heritage and provide a platform for creative expression, particularly through film.

"Through SANFFEST 2025, we hope to introduce the centuries-old traditions of pesantren to the public-not only as local heritage, but as a cultural movement that connects Indonesia with the world," Zon said.

He noted that the festival offers a creative space f...