THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INDONESIA’S CULTURAL DIPLOMACY IN AUSTRALIA THROUGH “REELOZIND!” TO STRENGTHEN INDONESIA-AUSTRALIA BILATERAL RELATIONS 2016-2021

Abstract

This study aims to explain and understand how the implementation of Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy to Australia through “ReelOzInd!” from 2016-2021 was able to impact their bilateral relations, particularly in reinforcing the people-to-people links among both countries. This study uses a qualitative method that descriptively explains the attempt of Indonesian people as participants in “ReelOzInd!” event to implement Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy towards Australia through short films that were submitted, successfully nominated, won some awards, and screened in both countries annually. ReelOzInd! is a short film competition and event established by the Australia-Indonesia Centre (AIC) in 2016 aims for Indonesians and Australians to tell stories of their countries in an effort to form mutual understanding among people of both countries. In this study, ReelOzInd! is a soft power instrument for non-state actors, Indonesian participants, to present their stories including promoting Indonesia’s cultures which needed to be introduced and addressed to Australia in a more creative way by short films. The author finds ReelOzInd! has brought Indonesians and Australians to have deeper relations. It is shown by the consistency of this event which is held every year from the year of its establishment in 2016 to this year 2022. ReelOzInd! is a cultural exchange program bilaterally built to strengthen Australia and Indonesia ties and enhance the people-to-people link between both countries.