Jakarta, February 25th, 2019 – Leading OTT video service, Viu, and the Indonesian Creative Economy Agency (BEKRAF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore a collaboration focusing on efforts to support and develop the Indonesian film ecosystem through an initiative called Filmpreneur. This collaboration will be realized through a synergy across several Viu properties, which include: Viu Pitching Forum (VPF), an annual Viu event in Indonesia , now in its 3rd year,dedicated to facilitating story ideas from Indonesian film professionals to be produced as Viu Originals, which will then be shown on the global stage; Viu Shorts!, Viu’s  annual short movie festival that celebrates the spirit of Indonesia’s diversity, with focus on driving the interest and talents of Indonesian youth toward the film business from an early age; and, BEKRAF Akatara, a forum for financing and  investing in Indonesian films on a national scale.

Nickhil Jakatdar, Founder and CEO of Vuclip, conveyed, “Viu has a vision to empower and develop Indonesia’s film ecosystem and industry, which in the long term will contribute significantly to the national economy’s growth. BEKRAF, in the same vein, has a vision to build a strong creative ecosystem. Based on this common vision, Viu  and BEKRAF have partnered together on the strategic Filmpreneur initiative.”

With VPF and Viu Shorts!, Viu will support Akatara in Indonesia, by promoting Akatara through the VPF series, delivering Viu’s international film professionals to Akatara in order to provide masterclasses with the topic of “Producing Local Content with Global Appeal”, implementing VPF in Akatara, as well as doing screenings and dialogue forums from professionals of Viu Originals in Akatara.

BEKRAF, through Akatara, will support VPF and Viu Shorts! by providing socialization of VPF in Akatara’s activities, bringing mentors from BEKRAF to VPF and Viu Shorts! to provide workshops on the topic of “Making Films with Commercial Values,” as well as providing screenings and film dialogues at VPF and Viu Shorts!.

“In the effort to boost the establishment of Indonesia’s film ecosystem, BEKRAF believes that a collaboration with industry leaders, such as Viu, is very important. Through Viu Pitching Forum and Viu Shorts, Viu has created unique impactful programs and shown a very strong commitment to developing Indonesia creative ecosystem and enable nations youth to be ready to perform and compete on the global stage through their global platform and reach. With this synergistic Vision to develop Indonesia’s film ecosystem we are very happy to partner with Viu on this initiative, “said Triawan Munaf, Head of BEKRAF.