Aceh Besar, 25 November 2025 — The Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency, through the Directorate of Publishing and Photography under the Deputy for Media Creativity, held a short smartphone photography training for beginner santri. The program, KREASI: Kreatif Santri Indonesia, aims to enhance technical capacity while encouraging the creation of high-quality visual works using accessible devices.
Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, memberi sambutan pada program KREASI: Kreatif Santri Indonesia dengan tema “Dari HP Jadi Karya Bercerita”, Aceh, Selasa (25/11/2025).
“Through KREASI, we want santri to gain practical skills to create and tell stories using a medium that is part of their daily lives. Smartphones are no longer just communication tools, but a means of creative production with value,” said Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency Teuku Riefky Harsya on Tuesday, 25 November 2025.
The program, themed From Phone to Storytelling Work, was held at The Pade Hotel, Aceh Besar. Minister Teuku Riefky emphasized the importance of this training for nurturing local creative talent.
Around 60–70 santri affiliated with Rabithah Thaliban Aceh participated in sessions covering camera functions, principles of composition and lighting, focus and exposure settings, and basic photo editing using lightweight applications. In addition to theoretical presentations, participants engaged in practical exercises and received direct guidance to ensure hands-on learning.
Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
The program featured experienced resource persons, including Hotli Simanjuntak (European Pressphoto Agency) and Zikri Maulana (AFP & Kompas TV), who provided technical knowledge and insights on visual journalism. Both facilitated discussions and field exercises to ensure participants could translate stories into strong and responsible visual narratives.
Minister Teuku Riefky highlighted that his visit to Aceh encompassed five activities aimed at activating local creative economy practitioners. This initiative aligns with national trends and the vision of positioning the creative economy as a new engine of national growth, starting from the regions.
“All regions are now shifting, with youth seeking work in the creative industry. The President sees this as a solution to reduce unemployment. That is why a dedicated Ministry of Creative Economy was established. Aceh serves as a pilot region for this initiative to be implemented nationwide,” he said.
Bupati Aceh Besar Muharram Idris expressed appreciation for the program, noting its value in equipping santri not only with strong religious knowledge but also with practical skills in the creative industry, particularly smartphone photography, enabling them to contribute to the local creative economy through innovation and creativity.
Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“As we know, in this digital era, young people and santri studying religious knowledge are expected to be intelligent and critical by utilizing smartphones for photography and producing engaging, high-quality content, thus playing a role in regional development, particularly in advancing the creative economy,” he stated in his remarks.
The event ran from morning registration to evening closure, including presentations, discussions, and two stages of smartphone photography practice. This comprehensive approach ensured participants learned from concept to execution in the field. Selected works from the santri will be showcased in the Showcase of Workshop Products at Taman Budaya, Aceh, on 25 November 2025.
Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
The Ministry of Creative Economy reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to creative economy talent development in regions, including Aceh, through relevant and inclusive programs. This initiative is expected to strengthen the local creative ecosystem while opening economic opportunities based on visual works by young santri.
The event was attended by representatives of the Aceh Besar Regional House of Representatives (DPRK Aceh Besar) and Rabithah Thaliban Aceh Teuku Mizwar. Minister Teuku Riefky was accompanied by Director of Photography and Publishing Iman Santosa.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
