Jakarta, June 5, 2025 – The Ministry of Creative Economy (MoCE) is exploring a strategic collaboration with MD Entertainment to boost the film sub-sector through enhanced distribution and commercialization, ensuring Indonesian films can compete on the international stage.
Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, emphasized the importance of advancing the film industry by stimulating investment to drive industrial growth, create job opportunities, and expand film exports to global markets.
“Ultimately, investment and the export of Indonesian films will contribute significant added value to the national economy,” said Minister Teuku Riefky during a visit to MD Place Tower in South Jakarta on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
The Ministry sees MD Entertainment as a key player in film and animation innovation, especially through MD Animation with its notable Intellectual Property (IP) such as the beloved characters Adit & Sopo Jarwo. These characters are iconic and resonate with a wide audience.
“We see great potential in the IP of Adit & Sopo Jarwo as a driver for the animation industry. With this established IP, we can pursue collaborative approaches with other ministries and agencies to produce promotional content, entertainment activations, or public service announcements using these well-known characters,” Minister Teuku Riefky added.
MD Entertainment, founded in 2002, began with television drama productions such as Dia, Bawang Merah Bawang Putih, Hikmah, Siti Nurbaya, and Cinta Fitri. Since 2008, the company has expanded into feature films, including Ayat-Ayat Cinta, which garnered 3.6 million viewers, and the horror blockbuster KKN di Desa Penari, which surpassed 10 million viewers.
MD Entertainment’s diversified business portfolio includes MD Animation, MD Pictures, MD Music, MD Studios, and MDA Restaurants. One of its key growth areas is MD Animation, particularly through Adit & Sopo Jarwo, a locally rooted, humorous animated series offering socially relevant anecdotes. The show has won accolades, including Best Animation Film at the Anti-Corruption Film Festival 2014 and Favorite Children's Program at the Panasonic Gobel Awards 2018.
MD Entertainment CEO, Manoj Punjabi, emphasized that despite the industry's significant achievements, strong collaboration is needed to address current challenges and ensure the long-term sustainability of Indonesia’s film sector.
“We need to develop joint strategies, regulations, or standards to ensure alignment across stakeholders. Understanding the real challenges faced by filmmakers is key to guaranteeing equitable screen distribution across regions. Government collaboration is crucial to sustaining and advancing Indonesia’s film industry,” said Manoj Punjabi.
Minister Teuku Riefky was accompanied by Deputy for Creative Media Agustini Rahayu, Special Staff for Communication, Media, and Public Services Renanda Bachtar, Special Staff for Strategic and Interagency Affairs Rian Firmansyah, and Director of Film, Animation, and Video Doni Setiawan.
On MD Entertainment’s side, Manoj Punjabi was joined by Chief Communications Officer Astrid Suryatenggara and International Business & Content Licensing Executive Nadia Iswara.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
