Arabic version: أفلام الرعب تربط بين صناع السينما في إندونيسيا وكوينزلاند الإقليمية

According to ABC News, Indonesian and regional Queensland filmmakers are using horror movies to build creative links through a program involving universities in Indonesia and the University of Southern Queensland.

The group spent a week filming short horror movies in Indonesia before continuing production in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane. UniSQ lecturer Katherine Putnam said a “shared language of fear” had helped overcome language barriers. “Fear is universal,” Dr Putnam said, noting horror is popular with young audiences in both countries.

The program has a $60,000 budget funded by UniSQ and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Dr Putnam said she hoped it would create further Australian-Indonesian creative partnerships and reduce reliance on financing from the United States.

Indonesian filmmaker Ivan Mosqueda cited the 2022 Australian film Talk to Me as his favourite Australian horror movie. He said Indonesian horror often draws on religion and traditional beliefs, while Australian horror can find fear in wilderness, vastness and empty space.

For participating filmmakers from Cairns, Mackay and the Sunshine Coast, the initiative offered a funding opportunity outside Brisbane. Sunshine Coast filmmaker Amy Parry said regional creators were forming collectives, but voiced concern that cuts of at least $13 million a year to Screen Queensland funding for the next two years could affect regional filmmakers first.