The Indonesian Film Censorship Institution (Lembaga Sensor Film, or LSF) has published its 2024 annual report, detailing the institution’s performance in film censorship, the promotion of national values through cinema, and the expansion of self-censorship education.
The report includes comprehensive statistics on film classification and outlines key literacy initiatives aimed at fostering public awareness and responsible viewing. Serving as a gesture of transparency and accountability, LSF ongoing commitment to upholding a culture of responsible censorship in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
A film or film advertisement shall be classified as suitable for all ages if it meets the following criteria:
Target Audience
It is produced and intended for general audiences, with particular emphasis on suitability for children.
Content Appropriateness
It contains themes, titles, visual scenes, dialogue, and/or monologue appropriate to the cognitive and emotional development of children, and does not harm their physical or psychological well-being.
Educational and Cultural Value
It includes elements of education, culture, moral character development, wholesome entertainment, aesthetic appreciation, and/or encourages curiosity about the surrounding environment.
Exclusion of Violence
It does not contain depictions of violence, whether physical or verbal (in dialogue and/or monologue), that may be easily imitated or replicated by children.
Safety Considerations
It does not portray behaviors or situations that are dangerous and easily imitated by children.
Exclusion of Inappropriate Behavior
It does not contain visual scenes, dialogue, and/or monologue that may encourage children to imitate sexual behavior, show disrespect toward parents and/or teachers, use offensive language, or engage in antisocial behavior such as greed, deceit, and/or dishonesty.
Prohibition of Supernatural Content
It does not include content that could lead children to believe in superstition, the occult, magical spirituality, mysticism, or other supernatural practices that conflict with religious norms.
Prohibition of Horror and Sadism
It does not depict scenes that are horror-based or sadistic in nature.
Protection of Mental Well-Being
It does not feature visual scenes, dialogue, and/or monologue that could negatively impact a child's psychological development, such as infidelity, suicide, gambling, or the use of narcotics and other addictive substances.
A film or film advertisement is classified as appropriate for Teenagers Aged 13 and above (R13) if it satisfies the following conditions:
1. It conveys educational value, moral character, aesthetic appreciation, creativity, and promotes positive intellectual curiosity;
2. It features themes, titles, visual scenes, and dialogue and/or monologue that are appropriate for viewers transitioning from childhood to adolescence; and/or
3. It does not portray sensitive scenes that could be inappropriately imitated by adolescents in this transitional age group, such as dangerous actions or depictions of promiscuous behavior between individuals of the opposite or same sex.
A film or film advertisement shall be classified as suitable for viewers aged 17 (seventeen) years and above if it meets the following criteria:
Educational and Cultural Content
Contains elements of education, culture, moral values, appreciation, aesthetics, and/or fosters a positive sense of curiosity.
Age-Appropriate Themes
Includes themes, titles, visual scenes, as well as dialogue and/or monologue that are appropriate for audiences aged 17 (seventeen) years and older.
Sexual Content
Includes depictions of sexuality presented in a proportional and educational manner.
Violent Content
Includes depictions of violence that are presented proportionally.
Prohibition of Sadism
Does not contain scenes that depict sadistic acts.
A film or film advertisement shall be classified as suitable for viewers aged 21 (twenty-one) years and above if it meets the following criteria:
Adult-Oriented Content
The title, theme, visual scenes, and/or dialogue and/or monologue are specifically intended for adult audiences.
Mature Themes
Contains themes and issues related to family dynamics and adult life.
Moderate Depictions of Sensitive Content
Includes visual scenes and dialogue involving sex, violence, and sadism, provided they are not excessive.
Broadcasting Time Restriction
May only be broadcast on television between 23:00 and 03:00 local time.
Limited Exhibition Venues
May only be shown in cinemas, except for screenings conducted for film appreciation, educational, and/or research purposes.