The #InspiringIndonesia competition invites students, communities, NGOs, filmmakers, and individual creators to raise awareness about youth mental well-being through short films. With a total prize pool of IDR 346.5 million, top winners from each category will also represent Indonesia at the Grand Final of the Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival 2025 in Singapore. 

Amid growing concern over adolescent mental health, #InspiringIndonesia emerges as a collaborative initiative that uses short films as a medium for expression, social advocacy, and a bridge for change. 

This competition is organized by the #ForABetterWorld Campaign in collaboration with Djarum Foundation, Tanoto Foundation, and A Better World Foundation. 

The competition is part of the Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival 2025, which is also supported by a network of regional and international partners such as the Asia Philanthropy Circle, Asia Community Foundation, Bluehill, Enlight Foundation, Li Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, who together highlight stories of humanity that transcend national borders. 

With the theme “To Be Seen,” this year’s festival highlights youth mental health—an important yet often overlooked issue. 

Participants can submit entries in two main categories: 

● Best Microfilm Award, for filmmakers who can present compelling narratives with creative visuals and strong cinematography. 

● Best Project Film Award, dedicated to impactful, existing social initiatives told through short films. This category emphasizes real-world impact and how the film—whether newly created or previously produced—can compellingly and innovatively tell its story. 

The journey of Inspiring Asia Microfilm Festival 2025 #InspiringIndonesia begins with the Open Call from June 13 to July 22, 2025, inviting filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to submit their best works. 

From July 24 to 31, 2025, a panel of judges will review all submissions and select 14 finalists—seven from each category. 

The finalists will be officially announced and participate in an onboarding session on August 7, 2025, which will include technical briefings, promotion strategies, and competition mechanics. The next phase is the film promotion stage, where finalists will publish their films and campaign for youth mental health using the Campaign #ForABetterWorld app to garner public support and amplify the social message of their films. 

For more information and registration, visit: https://inspiringindonesia.campaign.com/  

The festival will culminate in September 2025 with an exclusive screening of finalist films and the announcement of winners, who will receive top honors and the chance to showcase their work on an international stage. 

Be part of the Inspiring Asia Microfilm Festival 2025. Submit your short film and make a real impact on youth mental health.  

Better Health, Brighter Futures: Tanoto and Gates Foundations Join Hands for Asia’s Communities

SINGAPORE, 06 MAY 2025 – Tanoto Foundation and Gates Foundation today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaborative efforts aimed at unlocking human potential and helping communities thrive across Asia.  The MoU brings together the two foundations’ shared commitment and experience in advancing healthcare, nutrition, education, and strengthening the philanthropic ecosystem in the region.

Through this partnership, the two foundations build on their existing relationship to collaborate and work together to identify, design, and implement joint initiatives in areas including Public health and healthcare delivery; Maternal and child nutrition; Access to quality education and; Strengthening philanthropic ecosystem and capacity-building in Asia.

“This partnership is a significant step toward unlocking new possibilities for systems change in Asia and builds on our existing impactful programs,” said Belinda Tanoto, member of the Board of Trustees, Tanoto Foundation. “In today’s rapidly changing world, the challenges we face are complex and interconnected, from widening funding gaps to the rising disparity between rich and poor. No single organization, no matter how large or resourceful, can tackle these issues alone. That’s why collaboration is so critical. By partnering with like-minded organizations like the Gates Foundation, we can leverage our collective strengths to catalyze lasting change.  We believe that when we invest in people, we unlock human potential and transform futures. Through collaboration, we can work together to create more impactful, sustainable solutions that reach the communities that need them the most.”

Each project under this partnership will be governed by its own specific agreement, which will outline the objectives, scope, budget, roles, and responsibilities of both parties. These project-specific agreements will also reflect a shared commitment to the principle of ensuring that innovations, knowledge, and solutions developed are affordable and accessible to the communities that need them the most.

The Gates Foundation emphasized the importance of long-term partnerships in driving meaningful change. “Collaboration with local and regional partners is key to achieving lasting impact,” said Hari Menon, Director, South and Southeast Asia of the Gates Foundation. “We’re excited to deepen our partnership with the Tanoto Foundation, building on the important work we have done together, starting from our nutrition partnership in Indonesia. By bringing together our complementary strengths, networks, and regional expertise, we can accelerate progress and help improve the lives of millions across Asia.”

Both organizations have a long-standing commitment to addressing systemic societal issues. Tanoto Foundation has over 40 years of experience working across Asia to support education systems, healthcare innovation, and leadership development, while the Gates Foundation has been instrumental in global efforts to eradicate diseases, expand financial inclusion, and improve agricultural productivity.

Media Contacts:

Tanoto Foundation

Yeelim Lee, Head of Communications

Email: Yeelim_lee@tanoto-foundation.org

Dian Anderson, Assistant Manager

Email: dian_anderson@tanoto-foundation.org 

About Gates Foundation:

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.

More information is available at www.gatesfoundation.org/

About Tanoto Foundation:

At Tanoto Foundation, we unlock human potential, help communities thrive, and create lasting impact. Founded in 1981 by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, we are an independent family foundation that believes in providing every person with the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. To do so, we catalyze systems change in education and healthcare. Our approach is impact-first, collaborative, and evidence-based. We invest for the long term and strive to develop leaders who can drive sustained, positive outcomes.

More information is available at www.tanotofoundation.org/en/

Early childhood development (ECD) lays a critical foundation for lifelong health, well-being, and productivity. Scientific research highlights that the first years of life – particularly the first 1,000 days (from conception to two years) and the next 1,000 days (from two to five years) – are essential for brain development, influenced by nutrition, health, and nurturing care. 

To support global efforts in ensuring children receive the necessary care during these formative years, Tanoto Foundation recently participated as a panellist at the UNICEF Global High-Level Roundtable on the Continuity of the First and Second 1,000 Days in Early Childhood. 

At this event, Inge Kusuma, Country Head of Tanoto Foundation Indonesia, joined global experts from India, Laos and Malaysia to discuss best practices and solutions for strengthening early childhood development initiatives globally. 

Tanoto Foundation has long been dedicated to improving early childhood development through multi-sectoral, evidence-based approaches in Indonesia and China. Through SIGAP (Strengthening Indonesia’s Early Generation by Accelerating Potential) program in Indonesia, Tanoto Foundation empowers parents, caregivers, and educators with knowledge and resources to support young children’s cognitive and socio-emotional development. Meanwhile, HOPE (Harnessing Opportunity through Parenting and Education) program in China focuses on early childhood care and education in rural areas, ensuring children receive a strong start in life. 

Inge Kusuma emphasized the importance of the First 1,000 Days of life in shaping a child’s future, stating, “ECED is one of Tanoto Foundation’s flagship programs, with two main initiatives—stunting intervention and early childhood education—that are making a significant impact.” 

“For stunting, we collaborate with national and sub-national governments, working closely with local stakeholders. This initiative involves multiple stakeholders and has contributed to reducing stunting rates in Indonesia. We also establish early learning centers to support children and equip parents with the necessary knowledge and skills,” Inge added. 

The SIGAP and HOPE programs have benefited over 80,000 children, providing vital early childhood development and health support. 

Key discussion points from the Roundtable: 

Advancing Evidence-Based Advocacy: Strengthening awareness of the transformative power of sustained investments in early childhood, ensuring that policies and programs align with robust scientific evidence. 

Showcasing Success and Innovation: Highlighting best practices and successful interventions from different regions, identifying existing challenges, and developing a strategic roadmap to renew and strengthen commitments toward giving every child the best start in life. 

Strengthening Partnerships for ECD Investment: Encouraging collaboration among governments, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to drive collective action and scale up effective interventions. 

A Global Call for Sustained Investment in Early Childhood Development 

Held on March 11, 2025, the roundtable served as a platform for key stakeholders to discuss the latest findings from The Lancet’s 2024 Series on Early Childhood Development. This groundbreaking research builds on previous studies from 2007, 2011, and 2016, underscoring the need for continuous, integrated interventions throughout both the first and second 1,000 days of a child’s life. 

Pia Rabello Britto, UNICEF’s Global Director of Education and Adolescent Development, remarked, “This research not only proves that the first 1,000 days are crucial for the individual child but also for society and the nation.” 

The roundtable resulted in three key outcomes to accelerate global progress in early childhood development: 

A Clear Action Map for Policy and Program Acceleration: A structured framework to strengthen policy implementation and scale up ECD programs, ensuring the continuity of nurturing care beyond infancy. 

Strengthened Workforce Development for Early Childhood: Establishing a dedicated working group to support governments in enhancing professional capacity in the ECD sector. 

Enhanced Advocacy and Investment for ECD: Mobilizing a coalition of global partners to drive advocacy efforts and increase financial commitments for sustainable early childhood programs. 

Investing in a child’s early years is not just a strategic decision—it is a moral imperative. When we nurture the youngest members of our society, we pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all.