Going Global: Desa Timun and Lokapala Strengthen Indonesia’s IP Industry

Jakarta Film Week 2024 showcased an impressive range of local creative works, with a key highlight being a talk session titled Showcase: Concept Arts in IP Development at the Mercure Hotel Cikini, Jakarta. This event underscored Indonesia’s immense potential in the creative industry, especially in Intellectual Property (IP) development. Two standout projects at the showcase were the animated wayang series Desa Timun and the e-sports game Lokapala.

Desa Timun: Bridging Tradition and Modernity through Animation

The wayang animation Desa Timun has successfully captivated audiences across generations. By combining traditional wayang storytelling with modern animation, Desa Timun emerges as a fresh and innovative work. “Desa Timun is aniwayang (animated wayang), combining live wayang footage with animation to make cultural education enjoyable for children,” said Nasya Hikari, one of the creators of Desa Timun.

More than just entertainment, Desa Timun delivers significant educational value. Each episode conveys moral lessons for children, following the lively characters of Kancil, Rusa, and Kambing as they navigate daily life in the joyful village of Cucumberville. With its engaging visuals and inspiring stories, Desa Timun has become a favorite show and has won numerous awards.

Lokapala: An Indonesian E-sports Game with Global Reach

Indonesia’s gaming industry is increasingly making its mark on the international stage. Lokapala, an e-sports game by Anantarupa Studios, has successfully attracted a global gaming audience. Ivan Chen, CEO of Anantarupa Studios, attributes Lokapala‘s success to storytelling. “Storytelling is key to competing with established players and captivating users by evoking curiosity and awe,” he explained.

In addition to its exciting gameplay, Lokapala offers narratives rich with Indonesian culture. With striking visuals and unique characters, Lokapala has built a robust and growing fan community.

The Great Potential of Indonesia’s Creative Industry

The success of Desa Timun and Lokapala highlights the vast potential within Indonesia’s creative industry. Didier Konings, a concept artist with Hollywood film experience who attended the event, expressed his admiration for these works and emphasized the importance of creativity in IP development. “Projects with limited funding can be more challenging but allow for greater creative freedom,” he noted.

Ivan Chen also emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in developing IP in Indonesia. “In Indonesia, creative sectors are still too compartmentalized. In fact, collaboration between games and film could be mutually beneficial.” He cited Japan as an example, explaining, “In Japan, different platforms support one another. For instance, animations are turned into games, action figures, or other toys, and vice versa.” Ivan suggested that Indonesia learn from Japan’s model by fostering intersectoral collaboration to build a richer and more sustainable ecosystem.

The Showcase: Concept Arts in IP Development at JFW Net 2024 demonstrated that Indonesia’s creative industry has extraordinary potential. Desa Timun and Lokapala are tangible examples of how Indonesian creations can compete internationally. With ongoing innovation and quality improvements, Indonesia’s creative industry has the potential to become a new economic powerhouse in the future.

Are you interested in joining engaging discussions with filmmakers and critics? Or watching films alongside a diverse film-loving community? Jakarta Film Week 2024 is the perfect place to do so. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and create unforgettable memories. Visit www.jakartafilmweek.com for more information.

Muhamad Iqbal Ramadhan | Nanda Hadiyanti