Yogyakarta, November 15, 2022 – Sagan 20 was the place to initiate discussions in the DOCTALK program discussing “Alternative Distribution Paths of Documentary Film” held by Festival Film Dokumeneter. In a casual yet intimate conversation, Yuda and Tata, the representative of In-Docs from the distribution division, came as the speakers in this discussion.
In-Docs is a non-profit organization based in Jakarta focusing on distributing documentary films. Discussing a lot about impact distribution, Yuda and Tata agreed that from the documentary, they and the people who work at In-Docs put their trust in this medium. It is hoped that, at least, more people now understand and know what a documentary is, the variety of documentaries, and how the process of making a documentary is.
Despite using the nomenclature of “distribution”, in fact, the impact distribution is not only found in the distribution phase. In-Docs hopes that the impact is in every step of making a film from the beginning of the process, distribution, to other networks that experience the benefits. Hopefully, this can trigger a change in people’s thinking patterns.
Then, the discussion began to focus on the position of documentaries in the educational sphere. It is pictured that, today, we are still looking for the most effective implementation to use documentaries in the educational sphere. In-Docs is aware of the many problems that arise. In a confused face, they stated that there are still many teachers who only focus on books and texts, instead of trying other ways to convey material to their students, for instance, using documentary films. When they were asked what problems that In-Docs faced, Tata said that there was always a question from the teachers like what is the urgency? “Sometimes, only the brave ones (teachers) use documentaries,” she said.
On this occasion, along with the resistance, In-Docs also mentioned one of their programs, which is Vitamin. Started in late 2020 and launched in February 2022, Vitamin is the impact distribution as well. Up until now, there have been about 1700 people and 200 teachers who joined the program. Through Vitamins, In-Docs hopes that it becomes a non-mainstream and sustainable flow. If it is associated in the educational sphere, Vitamins should be utilized to the fullest extent possible. The use of this program will not change textbooks as the teaching medium, just like the name, Vitamin, it adds nutritional supply to fill the gaps.
Lastly, In-Docs hopes that then these steps can bring about a resonant ripple for the continuation of documentary life in the future. Moreover, they realize that it is a sporadic movement. They might be small, but it is hoped that the network will always expand. Reaching out people who eventually have the same vision to ignite the hope that will never dim.
