BANDUNG, UNIKOM — The Visual Communication Design (DKV) Program at Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM) reaffirms its commitment to supporting environmental conservation issues through visual approaches and creative narratives by contributing to the watch party and film screening of “Teman Tegar: Maira – Whisper from Papua.” The event was organized by Aksa Bumi Langit Production House on Wednesday afternoon, January 21, 2026, at XXI Cihampelas Walk (Ciwalk), Bandung.
The involvement of the DKV Study Program in this event is part of the implementation of the Tridharma Perguruan Tinggi (Three Pillars of Higher Education), specifically community service, by utilizing film as a strategic communication medium to voice concern for the preservation of Papua’s forests. The film “Maira – Whisper from Papua” is considered to represent the power of visual design, cinematography, and storytelling in building public awareness of global environmental issues.
Present at the event was the Head of the DKV UNIKOM Study Program, Dr. Kankan Kasmana, S.Sn., M.Ds., accompanied by lecturer and Head of the Public Relations and Information Communication Division of UNIKOM, Arif Try Cahyadi, M.Ds. The presence of representatives from the DKV Study Program was to support a creative ecosystem that actively contributes to social and environmental issues. In addition, the event was also attended by various stakeholders, including local government representatives, the Head of the West Java Provincial Culture and Tourism Office, private stakeholders, and communities in Bandung. The presence of cross-sectors strengthens the view of UNIKOM’s DKV Study Program that environmental preservation is a collaborative issue that requires a strategic role for visual communication design as a bridge for public communication.
Dr. Kankan Kasmana S.Sn., M.Ds., said that the film “Maira” could be used as a relevant academic case study for DKV students, particularly in understanding how visual aesthetics, design narratives, and cinematographic approaches can influence public opinion and build a sense of shared concern. He emphasized that the forests of Papua are the lungs of the world as well as Indonesia’s wealth, rich in local wisdom, so that the message conveyed in the film is very contextual to the current condition of the nation and contains interdisciplinary educational values.
Meanwhile, Arif Try Cahyadi, M.Ds., asserted that the film “Maira – Whisper from Papua” is an example of effective public education media. According to him, the power of visual storytelling is able to transcend the limitations of information delivery and convey environmental messages in an emotional and persuasive manner, thereby potentially encouraging changes in people’s attitudes and behavior.
The public’s enthusiasm for the screening was also reflected in the number of viewers, which reached 1,438 people, filling the XXI Ciwalk studio for the special premiere in Bandung. For the DKV Study Program, this high level of public participation shows that environmental issues can be communicated effectively through visual media that is strong and relevant to the audience.
The screening event at Cihampelas Walk was part of events leading up to the official launch of the film “Maira – Whisper from Papua” on February 5, 2026. The DKV Study Program hopes that the film will not only be enjoyed as entertainment but also used as material for academic discussion, learning references, and a catalyst for design-based social movements on campus and in the wider community.
Through active participation in the screening event, the DKV Study Program of UNIKOM continues to promote the role of visual communication design as a tool for education, advocacy, and social transformation, particularly in efforts to preserve environmental sustainability and the future of Indonesia’s forests. (Directorate of Hms & Pro)