Indonesian Animation Has a High Potential: Interview with Gerryadi Agusta Sachanity

It all started from Baros, a place located in Cimahi, West Java, Indonesia. A lot of animation enthusiasts have been visiting this place since the Cimahi Creative Association (CCA) was established in 2009 as an organization concerning the Development of the Digital content industry in Indonesia.

Coming out in 2013, Baros International Animation Festival (BIAF) was first held 2013 as one of the steps to expand the Indonesian insights, knowledge, and strengthen the networking with animation stakeholders around the world.

Zippy Frames correspondent Peter Schavemaker talked to Gerryadi Agusta Sachanity, assistant director of the festival, which celebrates its 4th edition in November.

PS: Are you involved in the Baros International Animation Festival (BIAF) since its first edition in 2013?

GA: Yes, I am. I have seen it grown from a small start to reach the world in 2013. It is not easy for Cimahi with only 3,000 people visiting and having only three foreign countries involved, and luckily we've been supported by Walt Disney Singapore for the competition.

During the second edition, we had six countries participating and full support of the Cimahi government,  and also received support from the government in Jakarta.

 Last year, during the third edition, the festival was attended by more than 9,000 visitors and featured more than 25 speakers from 11 countries, again with the great support of the Cimahi Government and the national government, including the Ministry of Trade, BEKRAF, BPPT, and the Ministry of Industries, among others. Additionally, we had the support of our sponsor, Djarum Foundation, one of the largest social corporations in Indonesia.

The 2016 edition of BIAF will have more than 10 countries participating (Thailand, Poland, Singapore, USA, France, Malaysia, South Korea, India, Japan, and the Netherlands), and we expect more than 9000 people with the support from the local and national government, and the Djarum Foundation.

The goal of our director, Mr. Ronnie Rubiana, is to become a bridge for artists around the world. Hopefully, BIAF 2016 will become the marketplace for creators and buyers, not only for Indonesian animation but also for foreign companies or artists. For Indonesian artists, BIAF could become a showcase for promoting Indonesian animation and culture.

PS: Cimahi Creative Association (CCA) is helping build attention for Indonesian animation, made in the region of Cimahi (located on mid-Java)

GA: Cimahi Creative Association started in 2009, initiated by the Cimahi government because the city became independent from Bandung. There are only about 600,000 people living in Cimahi. The city had no natural resources.

At the time the mayor came with the idea to work on a creative hub, to push and create the human resources for the creative industry , Yes, you may compare it with the idea behind Silicon Valley. The main focus of CCA is to honor the Indonesian animation industry.

PS: Cimahi is the most creative area in Indonesia?

GA: Yes Cimahi is one of them. In 2012 the Indonesian goverment appointed Cimahi as city to become the centre of animation development and industry.

PS: Why is the creative area not located in the capital Jakarta?

GA: Some of the cities in Indonesia are considered creative cities, every city has its own part of the creative industries. The national government appointed Cimahi to focus on animation development. As per the initiative of our President, Mr. Joko Widodo, the creative industry all comes together in Technoparks located in many cities in Indonesia, one of them is Cimahi Technopark. It is focusing on boosting the animation industry in Indonesia. Many creative businesses are located.

On January 26, 2015 Mr. Triawan Munaf was appointed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo as head of BEKRAF or Creative Economy Agency.

This is a non-ministerial government agency supporting the creative industry for 16 sub-sectors like film, music, dance, fashion, gaming, video, and animation.

PS: Previously, Indonesian animation was only made for the domestic market, but for a while, the country has been co-producing and working with other countries, like South Korea. The government also reached out to the animation industry in the USA. I read Mr. Triawan Munaf visited Disney/Pixar twice and received good reactions.

GA: Yes, the government now has its own department and ministry, BEKRAF, or the Creative Economy Agency for animation and film. Right now, animation and film have their highest concern. Indonesian animation has high potential.

PS: During BIAF 2016, the forum 'Potensi Bisnis Animasi di Indonesia' will be held, which is about the potential of Indonesian animation. Which conclusion do you hope will be taken in the end?

GA: It will be a discussion between Indonesian animation studios and the government about the questions of what animation can contribute to the industry, and how the industry can help each other regarding IPs and projects.

PS: BIAF 2016 will also have a Student Short Animation competition, with a total prize amount of 30 million IDR (about EURO 210,000).

GA: The Student Competition will have three categories: best film, best picture, and best story. It is very important for BIAF 2016, because it will inspire young people who will come to Cimahi, from all over Indonesia, to receive an internship and learn about the animation industry.

We will see many new ideas with potential to grow into large IPs during the competition. I am from Bandung and have chosen to stay in Cimahi because the government is investing seriously in Cimahi as an animation centre.

Recently, many of these young and professional animators organized a road trip (by bus) across cities on Java. It was called 'Road to BIAF, from Baros to Kudus'. The participants visited schools and small animation studios to meet and talk about animation.

PS: You are also the creative director of GRU Pictures,  a start-up company. Can you tell us about the company?

GA: We are currently focusing on animation, film, and advertising. GRU Pictures is co-working with a company in Thailand. At the moment, we do service work and do not have our own animation IP yet. Having your own IP is a great wish.

At BIAF 2016, I hope the international guests could help me establish a bridge to international work. Some Indonesian companies asked me to be their creative director, and I have received projects from Thailand and Jakarta. The government in Cimahi and Jakarta is also promoting my company.

 The fourth edition of the Baros International Animation Festival 2016 will take place in Cimahi, West Java, Indonesia, from 17 to 20 November 2016.

 contributed by: Peter Schavemaker