BIG SKY DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL 2025 REVIEW! The fight for indigenous rights continues, this time in Indonesia in Eko Krisna’s documentary short, The Congress. Every five years, the Indigenous peoples of Indonesia gather for a Congress known as Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN). This Congress represents over 20,000 people groups and hundreds of thousands of Indigenous people who want to be heard and represented in the Indonesian government.
The secretary of the Congress, Rukka Sombolinggi, says that this Congress is the key to confronting the climate crisis as Indonesia has some of the highest levels of forestry in the world. AMAN is unique as Krisna’s film presents the people with one common goal. One of the seemingly most controversial plans is the need to create a map of the thousands of islands and establish borders between each group before “the map is created for them.”
“…Indigenous peoples of Indonesia gather for a Congress…”
As a film, The Congress exists to raise awareness and is yet another example of the fight of indigenous people as they struggle to remain relevant and vital in their home country. Indigenous cultures, like many others, are slowly being erased as young folk head to school in the city and never return.
Filmmaker Krisna hits the high points in his 11-minute documentary, packing a lot of information and testimony to paint an accurate picture. Have you ever heard of ‘deliberative democracy’?” You do now!
In conclusion, The Congress delivers inspiration and insight, boldly spotlighting the enduring strength of Indonesia’s Indigenous communities. Eko Krisna’s brisk 11-minute documentary is a rallying cry for unity and justice—a true reminder that even the briefest films can leave an indelible mark.
The Congress screened at the 2025 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.
"…delivers inspiration and insight..."
