My name is Thois Wanma, I am from Papua.
Papuan Voices, Sorong Region.

My name is Immanuel. I am from 
Papuan Voices in Keerom.

What is Papuan Voices?

Papuan Voices is a community of
documentary film-makers in Papua

Who feature the culture, social life, 
environment, among other issues in Papua.

Papuan Voices usually produces
short documentary films.

What issues are being raised
by the community?

Our films discuss issues like
local economy and women's rights

among others.

Our films feature our existing struggles

Which can be informative to other
Papuans across the regions.

For example, making films on Merauke
can be informative to friends in Sorong.

Because most Papuans don't know
what's happening in the other districts.

It can tell how people in Sorong
address environmental issues

or, that a large-scale plantation
investment in Merauke has started.

Watching the films, at least people
in Sorong or Manokwari would know

Tell me about the other
initiatives of PV.

We screen the produced films on campuses
usually in dormitories in Jayapura

Papuan Voices communities in other
regions also have screenings & discussions

That's what Papuan Voices does.

How about the social conditions in Papua?

We do talk about the conditions in Papua.
There are numerous problems.

Such as livelihood & women's rights 
This year, there are new challenges

Through PV films, these problems are
featured and discussed among the audience

Our films are produced to discuss,
respond, and solve these issues.

There are bigger issues
in our society

For one, there are large investments
on oil palm plantations coming in

The native people in the area do not know
What a palm oil company is & what it does

What usually are the problems
faced by the PV Community?

The use of other languages
affects film production.

For example, the film I made in Mayalibit 
Bay featuring the native tribe of Maya.

During filming, they spoke
in their native language.

So we faced difficulties in shooting
and editing.

Because I did not understand
what they were talking about.

So, we had to find people to translate it
into Indonesian and English.

I also traveled from the Keerom Regency
and that was a long journey.

Shorter distances can also be longer, 
and local transport is expensive.

Why are you interested in Papuan Voices?

I am interested in PV because of 
my concerns for my fellow Papuans.

Papua is still lagging behind, so I want to
share stories with people outside the region

Who think that Papua is rich in gold and
other minerals. It is not like that.

When I went to see by myself, Papuans were
still left behind, with many problems.

That made me feel sad, 
That's why I want to tell other people

That Papua does not need anything from
the government, except love and care.

I am interested in PV because I think 
I know how to solve these problems

problems that persisted for long; and as 
a young Papuan, I want to do what I can.

So when EngageMedia started the training 
to help set up PV, it really helped me, too.

We produce films with a purpose, 
to be watched and understood by people.