A festival isn’t just about captivating programs and inspiring discussions—it’s also about ensuring everything runs smoothly, safely, and sustainably. Behind the scenes, there’s a dedicated team working tirelessly to make sure every technical and operational detail is executed to perfection. One of them is I Made Suka Merta, or Abut as he is fondly called—who leads the Production & Operations team that brings the physical elements of the Festival to life.

What inspired you to work in event production and operations, particularly at the Festival?

Production is such a broad field. My background is in the arts, so I’m used to things like producing banners and working with various formats and sizes. Laying out a venue feels like painting—placing visual elements into position. It’s really just a way of putting what I learned in college into practice.

What draws me to this work is the joy of creating. In art, we create works. In festival production, we also create—layouts, decorations, atmospheres. That creative drive is still very much alive. Take music stages, for example—I’m into music myself and used to be in a band, so I’m already familiar with cables, sound systems, and microphones. None of this is new to me.

What are the biggest challenges in making sure all the technical and operational aspects of the Festival run smoothly?

As a festival executor, time management is the biggest challenge. Everything starts with a timeline and production deadlines—and sticking to that schedule is key. If we’re even one day behind, things can get chaotic. Tasks pile up quickly, and we end up playing catch-up. It’s like organizing a deck of cards—figuring out what needs to come out first.

You have to prioritize: what needs to be done now, and what can wait. And always have a Plan A and Plan B. For example, from the 25th to the 30th—we have to be clear about what needs to happen each day. During the Ubud Food Festival 2024, there was unexpected rain, and we had to rush to install extra roofing. So flexibility is crucial.

The Festival is committed to sustainability. How does your team integrate environmentally-friendly practices into production and operations?

We minimize the use of banners whenever possible since they’re not eco-friendly. We only use a few, like for backdrops, and replace the rest with murals. Even for signage, we use hand-painted murals instead of printed materials.

Most of the materials we use are reusable. For instance, we design fabric items that can be repurposed for future festivals. We also create general-purpose collateral that doesn’t include dates—just the festival logo—so it can be reused. Even things like table covers are designed to be double-sided, so they can serve multiple events.

What has been the most memorable moment while working behind the scenes at the Festival? Were there any highs or lows?

There are no low points—only joyful moments. My name is Suka Merta after all! But the most rewarding part is working with the production and logistics team, which can sometimes include over 30 people. The best moment is always the final day—when everything we planned has been executed well and the results are satisfying.

What are your hopes for the future development of the Festival’s production and operations?

One tagline I always carry with me is: Production is fun! I hope production and operations continue to be exciting, collaborative, and full of creative energy in the future.