The John Darling Fellowship: Young Indonesian filmmakers take centre stage

Two young Indonesian documentary filmmakers were this morning honoured at the Australian Embassy Jakarta as the first recipients of the John Darling Fellowship.

The John Darling Fellowship was established by Sara Darling in the memory of her husband, John Darling, an Australian documentary filmmaker who dedicated much of his career to Indonesia.

Dwi Sujanti Nugraheni (Heni) from Yogyakarta and Chairun Nissa (Ilun) from Jakarta were the inaugural recipients of the fellowship and spent last March in Australia.

The two women participated in an intensive post-graduate course called “Thinking with a Video Camera” at the Australian National University and received training in film marketing and distribution, and film archive principles and practice.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty said the John Darling Fellowship helped to broaden connections and understanding between Australia and Indonesia.

“Film is a powerful story-telling medium that can increase inter-cultural understanding. I hope in the future we will see more Indonesian stories in Australia and more Australian stories in Indonesia,” the Ambassador said.

Mrs Darling said the standard of the films that were produced by the women following their time in Australia was outstanding.

“Heni and Ilun are exceptional young women. The high standard of their work in Australia and on their return to Indonesia is testament to the benefits of the fellowship,” Mrs Darling said.

Dwi Sujanti Nugraheni is the director of Yogyakarta Documentary Film Festival and program manager of the Indonesia Documentary Community. She has directed two documentary films and has another two in production.

Chairun Nissa graduated from the Jakarta Institute of the Arts in 2009 and has made a number of short films and documentaries, including one which was selected for screening at a number of international film festivals.

With the support of a committee, the Herb Feith Foundation and the Australia Indonesia Institute, this fellowship aims to support the new generation of Indonesian documentary film makers.

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