Jakarta, ThedailyID — Telkomsel’s AI Cinefest 2026 attracted 1,111 AI-generated short film submissions, exceeding its target of 1,000 entries. The result reflects growing interest in AI-powered filmmaking across Indonesia.
The festival is a collaboration between Telkomsel, Huawei, and MiniMax. Together, the partners aim to strengthen Indonesia’s AI creator ecosystem through technology, education, and collaboration.
Only 100 participants advanced to the Curated Workshop. There, they learned AI filmmaking from industry professionals. The program covered every stage, from story development to production using generative AI.
Emir G. Surya, Vice President of Brand Communications at Telkomsel, said the festival gives Indonesian creators a platform to explore AI as a new creative tool.
“We want to expand access to technology, learning, and collaboration. As a result, we hope to build an AI creator ecosystem that is more creative, inclusive, and globally competitive,” Emir said.
Meanwhile, Arief Ash Shiddiq, a story editor, and Immanuel Manurung, an AI storyteller, reviewed every submission. They later selected the top participants for the workshop.
After the training, the judges chose 10 finalist films. These works were showcased during the AI Cinefest Exhibition, held at M Bloc Space in Jakarta from August 5 to 7.
The festival concludes with the AI Cinefest Awarding Night on August 7. The event features screenings of the finalist films, an industry talk titled “Where Creativity Meets Technology,” and the announcement of the three winners.
In addition, Huawei and MiniMax provided participants with AI tools and learning resources. This support helped creators explore AI filmmaking more effectively.
Looking ahead, Telkomsel plans to expand collaborations with industry partners. The company aims to accelerate AI adoption, develop digital talent, and strengthen Indonesia’s AI creator ecosystem.
