Indonesia-China Team Up: AI Moves Into Film, Animation, and Micro-Dramas
The Indonesian Embassy in Beijing hosted a business dialogue on December 17, 2025, connecting Indonesian and Chinese professionals to map out practical ways to integrate AI into production. Around 60 representatives attended, including visual effects, animation, and AI platform leaders such as More VFX, Shao Studio, and Kling AI. Indonesia was represented by the Ministry of Creative Economy, the Indonesia Investment Promotion Center (IIPC), the Indonesian Animation Industry Association (AINAKI), and producers from Imperial Pictures.
Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun highlighted how technology can carry culture forward, not erase it. He pointed to Chinese mythology-dragons, phoenixes, and other symbols-being reimagined through animation, drone shows, and AI. He also underscored that visual storytelling builds people-to-people connection faster than policy talk, nurturing trust, empathy, and closeness-especially for younger audiences.
Why this matters for creatives
- AI-native workflows are mainstream in China. Experts shared how AI already sits inside their creative pipeline-from concept art and previs to post-speeding iteration and reducing risk.
- Micro-dramas are booming. Short, mobile-first series are gaining serious traction across China and Asia. They're cheap to produce, fast to test, and emotionally sticky.
- Co-production is on the table. The forum mapped opportunities for joint projects and talent exchange, with shared tools and shared IP goals.
- Family-safe edutainment is a priority. Both sides see AI as a way to scale high-quality, child-friendly stories that teach while they entertain.
Where Indonesia stands
Indonesia's creative economy contributes about USD 89 billion and supports over 24 million jobs. By 2030, the target is an 8% share of GDP and more than 30 million jobs. Film and animation are among the fastest risers by volume, audience growth, and artistic quality-making this collaboration well timed.
What to do next (practical moves for your studio)
- Prototype with text/image-to-video tools. Use platforms like Kling AI to test visual direction, pacing, and character motion before you lock budget. Create short previs cuts to validate tone, appeal, and cultural fidelity.
- Develop a micro-drama slate. Build 10-30 episode arcs optimized for mobile viewing. Keep episodes tight, focus on a single hook per scene, and test two variations of the first three episodes to see which storyline sticks.
- Prep for co-production the right way. Standardize your style bible, file naming, and version control. Agree early on IP ownership, revenue splits, distribution windows, and credit rules to keep teams moving.
- Ship values-first kids content. Blend folklore and local symbols with modern storytelling. Set clear guardrails for safety and age appropriateness, then use AI to scale storyboards, backgrounds, and simple character animations.
- Upskill your team without pausing production. If you need fast wins, explore focused resources on video AI tools and workflows: generative video tools and practical AI courses for creatives.
Who was in the room
China: More VFX, Shao Studio, and Kling AI shared how they integrate AI into VFX, animation, and content creation. Indonesia: The Ministry of Creative Economy, IIPC, AINAKI, and Imperial Pictures discussed project pathways and investment angles.
Signals to watch
- Pilot co-productions leveraging AI for previs, look-dev, and animation assist.
- Cross-border talent exchanges focused on story development, character design, and pipeline engineering.
- Micro-drama formats expanding from China into Southeast Asia via mobile platforms.
- Growth in kids and education-focused titles that blend local culture with modern formats.
Bottom line: this partnership isn't abstract. It sets the stage for faster iteration, smarter budgets, and stories that travel-without losing the cultural texture that makes them matter.
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