With the competition between nations for international productions heating up, Jakarta is making fast tracks in positioning itself as Southeast Asia’s next film destination. The capital of Indonesia is forging closer relationships with streaming giant Netflix and appealing to big industry players as part of a wider plan of boosting its creative economy. In a period when other nations in the area are trying to win investments and productions from filmmakers, Jakarta’s newest move speaks volumes about what the city plans to achieve.

From production incentives to partnerships with Netflix, Jakarta is laying the groundwork for a bigger role in the global entertainment industry.

As governments across Asia rush to attract big productions and streaming investments, Jakarta is making a new effort to put itself on the global filmmaking map. Speaking at APOS, Vice Governor Rano Karno, who started as a child actor when he was nine, made a special invitation to Netflix to become a partner in the Jakarta Film Summit. He outlined plans to partner with Netflix during his appearance at the APOS conference with six concrete initiatives for the first vision, hoping to attract filmmakers from around the world and solidify its position as a major creative center.

"Make production easier, reduce costs, support investment, develop talent, strengthen infrastructure and create economic opportunity," he laid out, as per Variety. 

The partnership is expected to help the film industry, create jobs, and attract more visitors. In hopes of a long-term relationship, incentives of sustainable outcomes, transportation, accommodation, mentorship, and much more for crew members of production have also been offered. 

“Everything should be sustainable, efficient and world class. Every production creates job not only for actors and crew, but also helps to deliver hotel, restaurant, local business and communities. When the creative industry grow, the people of Jakarta grow with it,” Karno stated, as per Variety's coverage of the APOS conference. 

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From development to post-production, Jakarta wants filmmakers to find everything they need in one city. 

Jakarta is trying to attract filmmakers from around the world as it seeks to become a major film center in Southeast Asia. Officials hope that closer ties with international studios and streamers will help grow the city’s creative economy. It is also expected to create jobs and boost tourism.

"This is not merely an ambition, but a major vision so that the film industry and other creative economy sectors can provide real economic impact for Jakarta," Rano Karno said in a statement issued by the Jakarta Provincial Government's Communication, Informatics, and Statistics Agency.

To help the filming process, the city is launching a one-stop platform called “Filming in Jakarta.” The system will streamline approvals by having one team to manage permits, location access, traffic, and security coordination. The goal, authorities say, is to reduce delays and make filming easier. They have also started to design a human resource development program to prepare Indonesian talent with the skills needed in the fast-changing film industry.

  Meanwhile, Netflix, which is recently facing issues with Paramount, and Warner Bros, has not said anything yet. 

Whether Jakarta can emerge as Southeast Asia's next production powerhouse remains to be seen, but its strategy is clear. Rano Karno's speech reflects how hard at work the city is to develop an ecosystem that can enable productions to be developed, shot, and finished all in one location by partnering with global streamers like Netflix and investing in talent, infrastructure, and filmmaker-friendly policies. If Netflix proceeds to back these ambitions with sustained investment, Jakarta could be a serious contender on the world filmmaking map.

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Can Jakarta's partnership with Netflix and ambitious film initiatives turn the city into Southeast Asia's next global production hub? Let us know in the comments.