Jakarta – Thirty young filmmakers returned Citra awards, the country's highest film prize, to Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik on Tuesday, in a protest over the handling of last year's Indonesian Film Festival.

The filmmakers, including directors Riri Riza, Hanung Bramantyo and Mira Lesmana, as well as cast and crew members such as actresses Marcella Zalianty and Rachel Mariam and actor Nicholas Saputra, said that they were disappointed with the jury's decision to name high school drama Ekskul best feature film in last year's festival.

They also alleged that the score for Ekskul was taken from Korean film Tae Guk Gi.

"For the good name of the Indonesian film industry, we call for the revocation of the Citra award for best film and hold the festival's panel of jurors accountable for their decision in an open debate," Riri said.

The young filmmakers, who have named themselves the Indonesian Film Society, have also written to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the House of Representatives.

Ekskul is just the tip of their complaints. They are campaigning for the reform of the numerous regulations they say are hindering the development of the country's film industry.

Riri said that Ekskul's win showed the lack of transparency present in the agencies responsible for promoting the local film industry. He said that agencies such as the Film Censorship Body and the National Film Consultative Body were remnants of the New Order regime.

The filmmakers also called on the government to draft a new law on film to boost the local industry. Jero said that their decision to return their awards represented their dedication to rejuvenating the country's film industry.