As global and local social challenges grow more complex, grassroots communities have become the essential engines of change. From education and healthcare to the creative economy, local resilience is surfacing everywhere. However, most of these high-impact stories remain invisible, struggling to gain the public visibility and support necessary to scale.

The problem isn’t a lack of impact; it’s a lack of accessible narrative. Without a platform to tell their story, these initiatives remain isolated, and their potential for broader support goes untapped.

To bridge this gap, the Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival—an annual pan-Asian short film competition—returns in 2026. Under the theme “Community Empowerment: Belonging, Resilience, Thriving,” the #InspiringIndonesia edition is a strategic collaboration between Bakti Pendidikan Djarum Foundation, Tanoto Foundation, and Campaign for Good. The festival challenges filmmakers, students, social enterprises, and NGOs to move beyond awareness and build deep public understanding of community-led solutions.

Tanoto Foundation, a philanthropic organization focused on education and health, views the festival as a vehicle to scale proven local solutions. “We see incredible work happening at the community level – in parenting, education, and health – that delivers real results but remains under the radar,” said Deviani Wulandari, Head of Strategic & Impact Communications, Tanoto Foundation. “By using creative mediums like short films, we can document these practices so they can be studied, replicated, and scaled to benefit more people.”

Bakti Pendidikan Djarum Foundation emphasizes the need for a new type of leadership among the youth. “In the era of AI, the leaders of tomorrow aren’t just those who master the tools; they are the ones who can look at social issues with a critical eye and genuine empathy,” said Primadi H. Serad, Program Director of Bakti Pendidikan Djarum Foundation. “This competition is a training ground for young Indonesians to sharpen those skills while bringing local innovation to a global stage.”

Campaign for Good highlights the participatory nature of the festival, moving beyond passive viewership. “Film is a tool for action, not just observation,” said William Gondokusumo, Founder & CEO of Campaign for Good. “Through #InspiringIndonesia, we are introducing ‘community vetting.’ We want the public to have a seat at the table, helping decide which stories and initiatives deserve the most support. It’s about building a movement, not just a film list.”

This year, the festival introduced the Best AI Film Award. This category is designed to democratize storytelling. By leveraging AI, creators can bypass the high costs and technical complexities of traditional production, allowing them to focus entirely on the power of the message and the impact of the community they are highlighting.

Unlike traditional “closed-door” festivals, #InspiringIndonesia utilizes a transparent selection process. Following an initial screening, shortlisted entries will be opened to the public for community vetting. Public support and engagement will directly influence the final selection, ensuring the winning films resonate with the people they aim to represent.

Categories and Prizes

With a total prize pool of IDR 325,000,000, the competition features three categories:

• Best Micro Film Award: For filmmakers focused on cinematic storytelling and creative narrative.
• Best Project Award: For existing community initiatives that demonstrate proven social impact and sustainability.
• Best AI Film Award: For short films that utilize AI tools to tell powerful stories of community resilience.

Indonesian finalists will advance to the regional level, competing against entries from across Asia at the Grand Final in Manila, Philippines. Regional prizes include USD $100,000 for Best Project, USD $50,000 for Best Micro Film, and USD $10,000 for Best AI Film.

Key Dates & Deadlines

Registration is open to independent filmmakers, students, and organizations until June 30, 2026.

• Internal Selection: July 1 – 15, 2026
• Semi-Finalist Announcement & Onboarding: July 16 – 20, 2026
• Community Vetting (Public Voting): July 21 – August 11, 2026
• Final Evaluation: August 12 – 16, 2026
• Finalist Announcement: August 17, 2026
• Regional Screening & Awarding: September 2026

For more information and to register, visit: inspiringindonesia2026.campaign.com