On 21 April, 6 short films by Papuan filmmakers and activists opened Jagongan Media Rakyat 2016 (The People’s Media Festival 2016) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The films from EngageMedia’s Papuan Voices collection included Save The Karon, Papuan School, Pearl In The Noken, Mama Mariode and Master of Our Land.

The film Perempuan dan Miras (Women and Alcohol) by the Papua Pride community was also screened. The motive of the screening was to inform people outside Papua about what exactly was happening inside it.

Richard Suwae, one of the founders of Papua Pride, commented that film is the best medium to transfer knowledge and information, and that it’s much easier to distribute. They hope that through film, they can increase solidarity among Papuans. Both organizations aim to foster a positive perception about the Papuan people, as we’ve observed that in recent times, the media tends to report news that portrays them in a more negative light. In the same week, Papuan Voices was also screened during a monthly discussion as part of Festival Film Pelajar Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Student Film Festival). The organizer of the event wanted to show films made by Papuans, as most films about the province are made by people from outside it.