Film lokal semakin menguasai pasar dengan berbagai genre yang dekat dengan keseharian penonton. Tren saat ini didominasi oleh genre horor dan slice of life yang membahas isu kesehatan mental. Kedua genre ini menarik perhatian karena kedekatannya dengan realitas dan emosional penonton.

Horor: Genre yang Selalu Diminati

Film horor terus menjadi favorit, baik di Indonesia maupun global. Film seperti Pengabdi Setan dan Petaka Gunung Gede membuktikan bahwa unsur mistis dan budaya lokal memiliki daya tarik tersendiri. Keunikan cerita yang mengangkat mitos dan kepercayaan masyarakat setempat menjadi nilai jual yang kuat. Selain itu, strategi pemasaran yang cerdas, seperti kampanye di media sosial, teaser misterius, serta word-of-mouth dari penonton yang terkesan, turut meningkatkan antusiasme masyarakat untuk menonton.

Seiring dengan meningkatnya kualitas produksi, film horor Indonesia semakin mendapat tempat di pasar internasional. Festival film global mulai melirik sineas horor Indonesia yang berhasil menciptakan atmosfer menegangkan dengan sentuhan budaya lokal yang autentik.

Slice of Life & Isu Mental Health

Di sisi lain, film dengan tema slice of life seperti Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini dan Home Sweet Loan mendapat respons positif karena menggambarkan kehidupan sehari-hari dan tantangan emosional yang dihadapi oleh banyak orang. Film-film ini tidak hanya menghibur tetapi juga memberikan refleksi dan pemahaman lebih dalam tentang pentingnya kesehatan mental.

Meningkatnya kesadaran akan kesehatan mental membuat film dengan tema ini semakin relevan. Cerita yang menyentuh dan realistis menciptakan keterikatan emosional dengan penonton, sehingga mereka merasa lebih dipahami dan memiliki ruang untuk berekspresi. Banyak rumah produksi kini mulai memperhatikan aspek ini dalam pembuatan film, termasuk konsultasi dengan psikolog atau pakar kesehatan mental guna memastikan representasi yang lebih akurat dan bertanggung jawab.

Strategi Riset untuk Memahami Preferensi Penonton

Perubahan preferensi penonton ini menjadi acuan bagi industri film dalam menentukan strategi produksi dan pemasaran. Untuk memahami selera dan kebutuhan penonton, beberapa metode riset dapat digunakan, antara lain:

• Survei Kuantitatif: Mengukur preferensi genre, aktor favorit, dan elemen film yang disukai.
• Focus Group Discussion (FGD): Memahami opini penonton secara mendalam melalui diskusi kelompok kecil.
• Analisis Media Sosial: Mengamati tren dan sentimen penonton berdasarkan percakapan di platform digital.
• Ethnographic Research: Mengamati langsung perilaku menonton, termasuk kebiasaan sebelum dan sesudah menonton film.

Masa Depan Film Lokal: Meningkatkan Relevansi dan Kualitas

Local Films Dominating the Screen: Between Suspense and Life Stories

Local films are increasingly dominating the market with various genres that resonate with audiences' daily lives. The current trend is dominated by the horror genre and slice of life, which address mental health issues. These two genres attract attention due to their closeness to reality and emotional depth.

Horror: A Perennially Popular Genre

Horror films continue to be a favorite, both in Indonesia and globally. Films like Pengabdi Setan and Petaka Gunung Gede prove that mystical elements and local culture have their own appeal. The uniqueness of stories that highlight myths and local beliefs becomes a strong selling point. Additionally, smart marketing strategies, such as social media campaigns, mysterious teasers, and word-of-mouth from impressed viewers, further increase public enthusiasm to watch these films.

As production quality improves, Indonesian horror films are gaining recognition in international markets. Global film festivals are beginning to take an interest in Indonesian horror filmmakers who successfully create a tense atmosphere with an authentic touch of local culture.

Slice of Life & Mental Health Issues

On the other hand, slice-of-life films like Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini and Home Sweet Loan receive positive responses because they depict everyday life and emotional challenges faced by many people. These films not only entertain but also provide deeper reflection and understanding of the importance of mental health.

The growing awareness of mental health makes films with this theme increasingly relevant. Touching and realistic stories create an emotional connection with audiences, making them feel more understood and providing a space for expression. Many production houses are now beginning to consider this aspect in filmmaking, including consulting with psychologists or mental health experts to ensure a more accurate and responsible representation.

Research Strategies to Understand Audience Preferences

Changes in audience preferences serve as a reference for the film industry in determining production and marketing strategies. Several research methods can be used to understand audience tastes and needs, including:

• Quantitative Surveys: Measuring genre preferences, favorite actors, and preferred film elements.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGD): Understanding audience opinions in depth through small group discussions.
• Social Media Analysis: Observing audience trends and sentiments based on conversations on digital platforms.
• Ethnographic Research: Directly observing viewing behavior, including habits before and after watching a film.

The Future of Local Films: Enhancing Relevance and Quality

Films are not just entertainment but also a reflection of society's needs and emotions. With proper research, the film industry can be more responsive to audience preferences and produce more relevant works. Collaboration between filmmakers, academics, and experts from various fields can also enrich perspectives in creating more meaningful films.

Additionally, exploring new genres and strengthening narratives based on local culture could be a strategic step in elevating the Indonesian film industry to a higher level. With the support of technology and increasingly widespread digital distribution, local films have a great opportunity to dominate the screens even more, both domestically and internationally.