Legal Literacy and Education in Yogyakarta
Freedom to Create and the Responsibility Behind Filmmaking
In the age of lightning fast information technology, the way we experience films has undergone a dramatic shift. Gone are the days when cinema and television were the sole gatekeepers of visual storytelling. Today, films are just a click away streamed on digital platforms, shared on social media, and accessed globally within seconds. This evolution has spurred a boom in film production, opening the stage to an ever expanding array of content and creators.
According to Indonesia’s Law No. 33 of 2009 on Film, the Lembaga Sensor Film (LSF), or Indonesian Film Censorship Institution, is tasked with safeguarding the public from potentially harmful content. As a permanent and independent state institution, the LSF reviews and assesses a film’s title, theme, imagery, scenes, sound, and translated text before it can be publicly distributed or screened.
Still, many filmmakers and members of the public carry a lingering stigma accusing the LSF of being the proverbial “film cutter.” That perception, officials argue, is far from the truth. In reality, LSF’s mission is not to stifle creativity but to offer guidance and protect viewers, especially vulnerable ones, from disturbing or inappropriate content.
This challenge was addressed head-on in a recent event held in Yogyakarta, a city known for its vibrant cultural life. The event aimed to bridge the gap between regulation and creativity, bringing together film students, professionals, government representatives, and production houses.
In her opening remarks, Dian Lakshmi Pratiwi, S.S., M.A., Head of the Department of Culture for the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), underscored the local government’s commitment to nurturing a film industry rooted in cultural preservation.
“Yogyakarta’s cultural richness is at the heart of our regional identity,” she stated. “Through efforts like this, we hope to strengthen the local film ecosystem, inspire creators to highlight local wisdom, and encourage a deeper appreciation for the cultural subjects and stories found in our region.”
Pratiwi also emphasized the importance of raising awareness especially among students and young filmmakers about the legal frameworks surrounding film content. Topics included age - based audience classification, content appropriateness, and, most crucially, the legal requirement for all films to obtain a Surat Tanda Lulus Sensor (STLS), or Censorship Certificate, before distribution.
Echoing this sentiment was Noorca M. Massardi, Vice Chairman of LSF, who reaffirmed that the board exists not to curtail artistic expression but to ensure that what reaches the public is responsible and constructive.
“LSF is not in the business of cutting films,” he explained. “Our process involves reviewing and assessing content based on the guidelines set by law. If a film contains elements deemed inappropriate, we return it to the producer for revision. And we are always open to dialogue. Filmmakers have the right to contest our decisions.”
The event also featured two seasoned speakers offering complementary perspectives. Hairus Salim, Chairman of LSF’s Sub-Commission for Independent Village Censorship and Community Outreach, addressed regulatory aspects of film censorship. Meanwhile, film practitioner Viko Amanda spoke passionately about the creative boundaries that filmmakers navigate during production.
The dialogue between regulation and creativity proved to be dynamic and productive. Participants from vocational high school students and film majors to community groups and production houses engaged in lively discussion, signaling a shared commitment to improving the Indonesian film landscape.
Conclusively, it is not only about censorship. It is all about collaboration. About finding common ground between protecting audiences and preserving artistic integrity. And above all, it is about inspiring the next generation of filmmakers to tell meaningful stories responsibly.
