Introduction by Putut Widjanarko
Enriching Cultural Horizons
In 2025, the Madani International Film Festival (Madani Fest) enters its eighth year. A full cycle, already a sewindu. More than 500 films from over 100 countries have been screened. Tens of thousands of short films have joined the competition. Hundreds of communities have taken part in Madani’s activities, and dozens of thinkers, scholars, cultural figures, and filmmakers have exchanged ideas in its forums. International networks have been woven, shaping Madani into a festival with its own character and a unique place in the global map.
This year marks a new chapter—one envisioned from the beginning: to become a cultural celebration that extends beyond cinema while remaining anchored in it. Madani has grown into more than an annual event; it has become a cultural movement, with cinema as the anchor of dialogue and encounter. More specifically, Madani stands as one of the initiatives leading toward Jakarta’s aspiration to be a City of Cinema and a Global City.
Looking ahead, Madani is committed to sustaining its role as a meeting ground of ideas, imagination, and inspiration. May this festival not only deepen the discourse on cinema and the Islamic world, but also broaden the horizon of culture—peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable.
Insya Allah.
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Putut Widjanarko
(Chairman, Madani Fest Board)