Author: JAFF Admin

Seven weeks of back-to-back Asia market and festival frenzy kicks off this week, beginning today with the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) and followed on Wednesday with the TIFFCOM market in Tokyo (29-31 Oct) and the Ubud Writers Festival in Bali (29 Oct-2 Nov).

Next is Taiwan’s TAICCA-backed TCCF (4-7 Nov), the JAFF Market in Yogyakarta (29 Nov-1 Dec), part of the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF), and the ATF (2-5 Dec) and Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), both cornerstones of the Singapore-government’s 12-day multi-event Singapore Media Festival (SMF), which runs from 26 Nov-7 Dec.

The three-day TIFFCOM market, running parallel to the the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), opens on Wednesday with a focus on Southeast Asian co-production, the future of Japanese IP in global adaptations and Thai BL/GL, along with current trends in Turkish remakes.

In Bali, 150 speakers take to the stage for  four days of conversations, masterclasses, workshops and special sessions that are part of the Ubud Writers Festival. A highlight is Thursday’s fund-raising dinner with William Dalrymple, Pico Iyer, Banu Mushtaq and others in support of the Emerging Writers Programme and the YLAI Library Project, dedicated to building five child-friendly libraries in the Gianyar region.

Shifting to Taiwan from 4 Nov, the annual event opens with the launch of global funds –  the NT$9.6-billion Taiwan-Korea Entertainment & Cultural Content Fund and the NT$6-billion Far Eastern Creative Entertainment Fund. In addition to Asia’s best/most comprehensive pitch, TCCF is also ground zero for other funding/production initiatives. These include the official launch of Joint Journey Creative (JJC), which is already part of a three-party venture to boost the development of romantic series.

Returning for a second edition after its 2024 debut, the three-day JAFF Market gathers filmmakers, producers, and financiers from across Southeast Asia. This year’s event is part of the 20th-anniversary celebrations of the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF), which is supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Creative Economy. The festival includes the JAFF Future Project – a partnership with Australia’s Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) and Lorna Tee’s mylab.

The Future Project, designed as a development and co-production hub, features 10 early-stage fiction and docu titles from across the Asia Pacific. Organisers say this year’s selection “showcases filmmakers whose works capture the region’s creative diversity, cinematic innovation, and growing spirit of cross-border collaboration”. The projects include Korean director Park Kiyong’s “Ghost Island”; and Eddie Cahyono’s “My Mother”.

The 36th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) hosts 120 film screenings from about 45 countries, including James Thoo’s “The Sandbox” (Singapore), Thai director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s Thailand-Singapore co-pro “A Useful Ghost”, and Rohan Parashuram Kanawade’s “Cactus Pears” from India. The opening film on 26 November is “Girl” / “女孩”, a coming-of-age drama written and directed by Shu Qi.

JAFF Market 2025 has selected ten fiction and documentary projects from across the Asia Pacific region for the second edition of JAFF Future Project, which has also renewed its partnership with Malaysia’s mylab and Adelaide Film Festival (AFF).

The projects include acclaimed Korean director Park Kiyong’s return to filmmaking with Ghost Island, produced by Ho Yuhang; Eddie Cahyono’s new project My Mother, following the success of his 2014 drama Siti, which screened at Telluride and won multiple awards in Indonesia and overseas; and Under The Banyan Moon from Australian director Aaron Wilson, known for Canopy and Little Tornadoes.

The curation process was carried out by a committee comprising filmmaker and comedian Ernest Prakasa, and producers Fauzan Zidni and Tia Hasibuan, who evaluated submissions based on storytelling strength, creative vision, feasibility and market readiness.

Selected projects will be competing for a range of industry awards and support packages presented by JAFF Market’s official partners, including The United Team of Arts, Visinema, White Light, Kongchak, Brandlink and Prodigihouse Ecosystem.

“Our selection process goes beyond curating stories,” said JAFF Market director Linda Gozali. “It’s about identifying creators who can inspire new partnerships and push their projects toward realisation. Through JAFF Future Project, we see this as a long-term investment in creative infrastructure, one that connects filmmakers to international networks, development labs, and co-production partners, ensuring that promising ideas don’t remain on paper but evolve into impactful works.”

Commenting on the partnership with JAFF Market, Adelaide Film Festival chief executive and creative director Mat Kesting said: “In this second-year partnership, we continue to open pathways for filmmakers across Asia and Australia to engage in meaningful exchange in sustaining the region’s independent film ecosystem.”

Last year’s JAFF Future Project selections included Reza Rahadian’s On Your Lap, which recently scooped four awards at Busan International Film Festival.

Meanwhile, JAFF Content Market has selected ten pieces of IP that will be presented to producers, investors and distributors during the market, which runs concurrently with JAFF Future Project. See below for details of the ten selections, spanning games, comics, digital content, animation and novels.

JAFF Market is taking place November 29 to December 1 at the Jogja Expo Centre, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, during the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF, November 29-December 6), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

JAFF FUTURE PROJECT 2025:

Aluk (Australia, Indonesia)
Genre: Observational, Experimental
Status: Work In Progress
Producer: Sam Hewison, Wahyu Al Mardhani
Director: Chris C.F

Evil Underground (Indonesia)
Genre: Horror, Urban, Teen
Status: Development
Producer: Perlita Desiani
Director: Adriyanto Dewo

Ghost Island (Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia)
Genre: Thriller
Status: Development
Producer: Park Kiyong, Ho Yuhang
Director: Park Kiyong

Ibu (Indonesia, US)
Genre: Drama
Status: Development
Producer: Zack Rice
Director: Kanya Iwana

A Life Full Of Holes (Indonesia)
Genre: Family Drama
Status: Development
Producer: Indra Yudhitya, Dewi Umaya, Loeloe Hendra Komara
Director: Loeloe Hendra Komara

My Mother (Indonesia)
Genre: Drama
Status: Work In Progress
Producer: Tika Bravani, Eddie Cahyono, Isabelle Glachant
Director: Eddie Cahyono

Our Son (Indonesia)
Genre: Drama
Status: Work In Progress
Producer: Iqbal Mohammad Hamdan
Director: Luhki Herwanayogi

Rose Pandanwangi (Indonesia, Philippines)
Genre: Drama, Biopic
Status: Development
Producer: Razka Robby Ertanto, Kristine de Leon, Chelsea Islan
Director: Razka Robby Ertanto

To My Dearest, My Dear... (Indonesia)
Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Status: Development
Producer: Bela Nabila, Bayu Arief
Director: Netanya Yemima

Under The Banyan Moon (Australia, Indonesia)
Genre: Romance Drama
Status: Development
Producer & Director: Aaron Wilson

JAFF CONTENT MARKET 2025 SELECTED IP:

Amurva, creator: Ninoi Kiling (Games)

Elang Hitam, creator: Edwin Fernando Tranggono (Comic)

Gloomy Sunday, creator: Fanky Landerson (Digital Content)

Jemawa Yangti, creator: M. Shahriza Rijadi (Comic)

Journal Of Terror, creator: Sweta Kartika (Comic)

Meng, creator: Monoma Films (Animation)

Sangkakala di Langit Andalusia, creator: Hanum Salsabiela Rais (Novel, Literature, Story)

Tabi, creator: Marchella FP (Novel, Literature, Story)

The Summoning, creator: Iskandar Salim (Comic)

World Without Sleep, creator: Ferdian Feisal (Comic)

by Liz Shackleton

JAFF Market 2025 has unveiled its second edition lineup for the JAFF Future Project, featuring 10 fiction and documentary titles spanning the Asia-Pacific region. The selection showcases a roster of established and emerging filmmakers whose works reflect the region’s evolving narratives and cross-border collaboration potential.

Set to run Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at the Jogja Expo Center in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the initiative is part of the broader 20th-anniversary celebration of the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF). The Future Project functions as both a development platform and co-production hub, designed to advance independent works toward completion and distribution.

Among the notable names in this year’s lineup are acclaimed Korean director Park Kiyong, who returns to filmmaking with “Ghost Island,” produced by Ho Yuhang. Ho’s own project “The Silent Village” captured two prizes at last year’s Future Project. Indonesian filmmaker Eddie Cahyono follows up his award-winning feature “Siti,” which screened at Telluride, with “My Mother.” Australian director Aaron Wilson, whose films “Canopy” and “Little Tornadoes” played the international festival circuit, presents “Under the Banyan Moon.

The selection process drew from an open call held Aug. 1-Sept. 1, attracting submissions from across the region. A selection committee comprising filmmaker-comedian Ernest Prakasa, producers Fauzan Zidni and Tia Hasibuan evaluated projects based on storytelling strength, creative vision, feasibility and market readiness.

For the second consecutive year, JAFF Future Project has renewed its partnership with the Adelaide Film Festival and Mylab, extending pathways for creative exchange between Asia and Australia.

“In this second-year partnership, we continue to open pathways for filmmakers across Asia and Australia to engage in meaningful exchange in sustaining the region’s independent film ecosystem,” said Mat Kesting, chief executive and creative director of the Adelaide Film Festival.

Lorna Tee, JAFF Market advisor and Mylab curator, added: “Together with JAFF Market’s commitment to supporting early-stage projects, we are helping build a more connected creative landscape across the Asia-Pacific.”

Throughout the three-day market, participating filmmakers will present their works in curated pitching sessions and one-on-one meetings with producers, investors and industry partners.

Selected participants will compete for awards totaling more than $74,000 in cash and production support. Cash prizes include the Visinema Awards ($3,000 for two projects) and The United Team of Arts Awards ($6,000 for one project). Production and post-production packages include the Brandlink Awards ($30,000 in equipment facilities for two projects), Kongchak Awards (sound design facility valued at $10,000), White Light Awards (color grading and mastering valued at $15,000) and Prodigihouse Ecosystem Awards (editing and color grading valued at $10,000).

“Our selection process goes beyond curating stories,” said Linda Gozali, market director of JAFF Market. “It’s about identifying creators who can inspire new partnerships and push their projects toward realization. Through JAFF Future Project, we see this as a long-term investment in creative infrastructure, one that connects filmmakers to international networks, development labs and co-production partners, ensuring that promising ideas don’t remain on paper but evolve into impactful works.”

The initiative’s impact is already visible in its alumni success. “Pangku” (On Your Lap), the directorial debut of Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian, emerged from last year’s Future Project after winning the White Light Post-Production Award. The film was selected for HAF Goes to Cannes at the Marché du Film and earned four major awards at the 2025 Busan International Film Festival.

JAFF Market 2025 is powered by Amar Bank. The Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival runs Nov. 29-Dec. 6.

JAFF FUTURE PROJECT 2025 – FULL PROJECT LINEUP

“A Life Full of Holes” (Development)

A teenage girl travels abroad to reunite with her mother, a migrant worker, only to discover she has died and left behind a child from a troubled relationship.

Country: Indonesia | Director: Loeloe Hendra Komara | Producers: Indra Yudhitya, Dewi Umaya, Loeloe Hendra Komara | Production Company: Onomastika Films

“Evil Underground” (Development)

Two estranged sisters must overcome their fractured bond to escape shape-shifting entities in the basement of an old trade center after performing a deadly ritual.

Country: Indonesia | Director: Adriyanto Dewo | Producers: Perlita Desiani, Tina Arwin | Production Company: Relate Films

“Ghost Island” (Development)

When her husband disappears during their honeymoon on Jeju Island, an Indonesian woman’s search uncovers parallel Cold War massacres in Korea and Bali.

Countries: South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia | Director: Park Kiyong | Producers: Park Kiyong, Ho Yuhang | Production Company: Paperheart Sdn Bhd

“Ibu” (Development)

An unfulfilled filmmaker returns from Los Angeles to Yogyakarta after her stepfather’s death, where clashing with her domineering mother forces her to confront the silence in her marriage.

Countries: Indonesia, United States | Director: Kanya Iwana | Producer: Zack Rice | Production Company: Feed You Films

“Rose Pandanwangi” (Development)

A gifted Indonesian soprano returns home in the 1950s to start over, but as her marriage falters and unrest grows, she must choose between family, true love and her musical ambitions.

Countries: Indonesia, Philippines | Director: Razka Robby Ertanto | Producers: Razka Robby Ertanto, Kristine de Leon, Chelsea Islan | Production Company: Summerland

“To My Dearest, My Dear…” (Development)

After his cancer returns, Adam discovers a way to travel through time to meet the daughter he never lived to see, attempting to heal old wounds before time slips away.

Country: Indonesia | Director: Netanya Yemima | Producers: Bela Nabila, Bayu Arief | Production Company: Doa Ibu Frameworks

“Under the Banyan Moon” (Development)

An Australian schoolteacher journeys to Indonesia after ending her engagement, where a reunion with her first love and connection with his enigmatic best friend force her to choose between nostalgia and a new future.

Countries: Australia, Indonesia | Director: Aaron Wilson | Producer: Aaron Wilson | Production Company: Left-Handed Productions

“Aluk” (Work-in-Progress)

An observational documentary traces three generations of a family in Tana Toraja over seven years as they reckon with the loss of their patriarch and their community’s uncertain future amid rapid transformation.

Countries: Australia, Indonesia | Director: Chris C.F | Producers: Sam Hewison, Wahyu Al Mardhani | Production Company: Cut By Dog Production

“My Mother” (Work-in-Progress)

A widow wants to meet her daughter who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for murdering her employer, but the daughter refuses, having never forgiven her mother for past betrayals.

Country: Indonesia | Director: Eddie Cahyono | Producers: Tika Bravani, Eddie Cahyono, Isabelle Glachant | Production Companies: ANP Talenta Media, Memorieslight Pictures, Yasa Buana Film, Knockonwood.inc, Sasha & Co Production

“Our Son” (Work-in-Progress)

Two childless married couples raise an unexpected son from an illicit affair between the two households, and amidst the chaos of a paternity reveal, the two wives take parenting into their own hands.

Country: Indonesia | Director: Luhki Herwanayogi | Producer: Iqbal Mohammad Hamdan | Production Company: Catchlight Pictures

By Naman Ramachandran

Indonesia’s JAFF Market has unveiled a line-up of 10 projects from across Asia Pacific for JAFF Future Project, including works from South Korea’s Park Ki-yong, Indonesia’s Eddie Cahyono and Australia’s Aaron Wilson.

The market runs alsongside Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF), which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Scroll down for full list of projects

Park who stepped down as Korean Film Council (KOFIC) chairperson last year, returns to filmmaking with thriller Ghost Island, which has Malaysia’s Ho Yuhang as producer, while Australian director Wilson whose previous works include Canopy and Little Tornadoes has romantic drama Under The Bayan Moon in development.

My Mother, the latest film from Indonesian director Eddie who is known for 2014 drama Siti, is one of three works-in-progress projects, along with Chris C.F’s Australia-Indonesia experimental work Aluk and Indonesian director Luhki Herwanayogi’s drama Our Son.

Further Indonesian projects include Loeloe Hendra Komara’s family drama A Life Full Of Holes, Adriyanto Dewo’s teen urban horror Evil Underground and Netanya Yemima’s fantasy drama To My Dearest, My Dear…

This year’s selection reflects the growing spirit of cross-border collaboration, including Kanya Iwana’s Indonesia-US drama Ibu, and Razka Robby Ertanto’s Indonesia-Philippines biopic Rose Pandanwangi.

Inaugurated last year, the 2nd JAFF Market runs from November 29 to December 1 at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC) in Yogjakarta as part of the JAFF festival.

JAFF Future Project aims to provide a development and co-production platform to propel new independent works toward completion and distribution.

Participating filmmakers will present their projects in curated pitching sessions and one-on-one meetings with producers, investors, and industry partners. A range of industry awards and support packages will be presented to winning projects. The United Team of Arts, Visinema, White Light, Kongchak, Brandlink, and Prodigihouse Ecosystem are among the sponsoring partners.

The project market’s selection committee comprised Imajinari co-founder Ernest Prakasa who is behind local megahit Agak Laen, producer Fauzan Zidni, and producer Tia Hasibuan.

This year, JAFF Future Project continues its partnership with the Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) and mylab. Mat Kesting, AFF chief executive and creative director, and mylab curator Lorna Tee, also JAFF Market advisor, will be in attendance.

Acclaimed Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian’s directorial debut On Your Lap (aka Pangku), which debuted at the inaugural JAFF Future Project last year, has become a notable success story. It was selected as one of five projects for the HAF Goes To Cannes programme before making its world premiere at Busan, where it won four prizes, including the Face of the Future award and the KB Vision audience award. It is set to open in Indonesia on November 6.

JAFF Future Project 2025

A Life Full Of Holes (Indo)
Dir. Loeloe Hendra Komara
Pros. Indra Yudhitya, Dewi Umaya, Loeloe Hendra Komara

Evil Underground (Di Bawah Tanah Laknat) (Indo)
Dir. Adriyanto Dewo
Pro. Perlita Desiani

Ghost Island (S Kor-Malay-Indo)
Dir. Park Kiyong
Pros. Park Kiyong, Ho Yuhang

Ibu (Indo-US)
Dir. Kanya Iwana
Pro. Zack Rice

Rose Pandanwangi (Indo-Phil)
Dir. Razka Robby Ertanto
Pros. Razka Robby Ertanto, Kristine de Leon, Chelsea Islan

Our Son (Indo)
Dir. Luhki Herwanayogi
Pros. Iqbal Mohammad Hamdan

My Mother (Ibuku) (Indo)
Dir. Eddie Cahyono
Pros. Tika Bravani, Eddie Cahyono, Isabelle Glachant

Aluk (Australia-Indo)
Dir. Chris C.F
Pros. Sam Hewison, Wahyu Al Mardhani

Under The Bayan Moon (Australia-Indo)
Dir. Aaron Wilson
Pro. Aaron Wilson

To My Dearest, My Dear … (Indo)
Dir. Netanya Yemima
Pros. Bela Nabila, Bayu Arief

by silvia wong

By: Gita Fara – Head of Program, JAFF Market

Success for a filmmaker in Asia’s rapidly growing yet uneven film landscape, requires more than vision. It requires the infrastructure that supports creative voices at every stage of the process, from concept to screen to global distribution. That’s exactly what JAFF Market, the industry platform of the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF), is designed to provide.

JAFF Market is a single space where six distinct initiatives unfold simultaneously over three days. Each initiative is built to support a specific phase of the content value chain, but together they create a holistic system of support, interaction, and growth.

At one end of the venue during the three-day event, you might find film projects being pitched at the JAFF Future Project. Here early-stage ideas and works-in-progress are sharpened to move to the next stage. Just meters away, the JAFF Content Market brings together original IP creators with producers, studios, and IP buyers seeking compelling new material for screen adaptation, offering a clear pathway for IP to make its way to audiences.

Talent Day invites emerging professionals into curated workshops and meetings with seasoned industry figures, helping them chart their career paths and build their professional networks. Meanwhile, the Film & Market Conference anchors the market’s industry dialogue. Thought leaders and professionals from across sectors convene in panels, keynotes, and roundtable sessions, to tackle the most pressing topics of the moment: co-production strategies, digital rights management, sustainability in storytelling, and cross-sector collaboration.

All day long, curated selections from JAFF light up the Market Screening where both released and unreleased titles are presented to industry delegates. These screenings often spark conversations that lead to distribution opportunities, festival interest, and unexpected partnerships.

What sets JAFF Market apart is how it places incubation, development, and industry access side by side. This unique design encourages spontaneous and meaningful interactions across disciplines and stages of production. Creators connect with partners in real time, ideas evolve through chance encounters, and innovation emerges not just through formal deals but through ongoing dialogue. This fluid structure nurtures a more complete ecosystem where creativity and commerce move together, shaping new possibilities for the future of storytelling.

In Indonesia, where annual cinema admissions surpassed 35 million by May 2025, JAFF Market is an active driver of industry momentum. JAFF Market doesn’t just celebrate the rise of local cinema; it helps shape its trajectory by fostering collaboration, empowering talent, and opening new avenues for growth across the creative economy.

As Southeast Asia continues to emerge as a global storytelling powerhouse, platforms like JAFF Market are more essential than ever. Its model offers a blueprint for how local infrastructure can scale to meet global opportunity. This isn’t just a film market, it’s the infrastructure  setting the new creative economy in motion.

By: JAFF Market

Asian cinema is undergoing a renaissance. From South Korea’s global breakthrough to the rise of Southeast Asian storytellers, the region is making its mark on the international stage. Yet behind every Cannes selection or streaming platform hit is a story that almost didn’t happen. The gap between a filmmaker’s vision and the resources needed to realize it is still vast, especially for emerging voices.

This is where JAFF Future Project steps in. Positioned at the crossroads of artistry, access, and industry, it is not just a showcase, but a dynamic networking platform. Using a speed-dating format, JAFF Future Project creates targeted opportunities for filmmakers to meet potential partners such as investors, producers, distributors, festival programmers, funders, and online collaborators, all in one place.

JAFF Future Project is designed to address the challenges that filmmakers in Indonesia and across much of Asia face: limited funding, fragmented industry connections, and the absence of efficient entry points into the global market. JAFF Future Project simplifies this process of finding partners by offering a curated environment designed for connection and deal-making.

Over three days, selected filmmakers will participate in curated networking rounds, one-on-one meetings, and group mixers, each arranged with a clear purpose of finding partners whether to secure financing, explore co-productions, negotiate distribution, or unlock new creative and business partnerships.

Participants are selected based on originality, market relevance, and the readiness to engage with potential partners. Once in the program, participants are matched with industry figures best aligned to their project’s needs. The emphasis is on stories rooted in regional authenticity, but with the capacity to connect to global audiences.

“For us, the key is creating the right meeting at the right moment,” said Meiske Taurisia, JAFF Future Project Advisor. “In the film industry, timing is everything. A single meeting can spark an international co-production, open funding channels that were previously out of reach, or set a project on course for a premiere at a major festival. Our role is to ensure each meeting has direction and strategic potential—not just casual introductions, and build the foundation for collaborations that can take a project to the next stage.”

JAFF Future Project is built on trust. Trust in bold creators and in the power of introducing them to the right partners at the right time. The next generation of storytellers from Asia are already here; they just need a direct path to the networks that can bring their stories to life.

In its first edition, the results spoke volumes. Projects like Pangku by Reza Rahadian, which participated in the program, went on to secure a market screening at Marché du Film at Festival de Cannes 2025. More importantly, the project connected with partners who could carry it forward, proof that the right meeting can change a project’s trajectory.

Participants consistently cite the value of these connections: finding collaborators across borders, gaining insight into funding landscapes, and forming relationships that extend well beyond the market. The program also fosters a peer network of filmmakers who champion each other’s work long after the event ends.

The impact goes beyond individual projects. By enabling connections across the content value chain from script consultants, line producers, and post-production houses to sales agents and legal advisors, the program strengthens the entire ecosystem.

With Indonesia’s cinema admissions for 2025 already surpassing 35 million , JAFF Future Project ensures that audience growth is matched by a pipeline of quality, diverse, and globally competitive content.

To keep pace with an evolving industry, future editions will look to expanding regional mobility, growing its alumni network, and integrating more directly with buyers and digital platforms. Sustainable funding from cultural institutions and private investors will be key to scaling its reach.

JAFF Future Project is not just about giving projects a head start. It’s about creating the encounters that turn ideas into deals, and deals into screens that resonate worldwide. This is what a modern networking platform can do: connect the next wave of filmmakers with the partners who can help them ride the wave.

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) is encouraging aspiring Indonesian filmmakers to build strong and lasting connections with the global film industry by registering for the JAFF Market program.

In a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Tuesday, JAFF Market Director Linda Gozali said that these opportunities for connection are provided through initiatives such as the JAFF Future Project and the JAFF Content Market.

Through these two programs, JAFF Market plays a role in strategically synergizing with filmmakers by providing a platform that fosters the growth of the film industry in the Asia-Pacific region in general, including Indonesia.

The JAFF Market program not only offers connections for creative development, but also strengthens pathways for distribution, partnerships, and cross-sector innovation.

As the Secretary General of the Indonesian Film Producers Association (Aprofi), Linda emphasized that JAFF Market is committed to showcasing the best narratives from Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region on the world stage.

She noted that during its inaugural edition in 2024, JAFF Market successfully supported a number of Indonesian filmmakers and film projects in reaching the Marché du Film (MdF) at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

One such project was Pangku (On Your Lap), the directorial debut of actor Reza Rahadian, which gained recognition through the JAFF Future Project 2024.

The film went on to win the White Light Post-Production Award and was featured at the Cannes International Film Festival 2025 as part of the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) “Goes to Cannes” program.

In addition, at Cannes, JAFF Market also brought three original intellectual properties (IPs) from the JAFF Content Market 2024 to the “Spotlight Asia” program.

For its second edition, the JAFF Future Project is collaborating with the Adelaide Film Festival (AFF). This partnership expands opportunities for filmmakers to present or pitch their story ideas directly to international investors.

The opportunity is also open to film projects that have already entered early production stages, whether still in development, pre-production, or currently in progress.

JAFF Market Head of Program Gita Fara added that selected applicants will be granted exclusive access to opportunities such as pitching in front of producers, buyers, and decision-makers from across Asia and around the globe.

They will also gain access to one-on-one sessions with potential partners, promotional and publicity exposure through JAFF Market’s official materials, and full access to the entire series of JAFF Market events.

Submissions, whether film projects or original IPs, can be made from August 1 to September 1, 2025, through the online application available at www.jaff-market.com.

Participants of the JAFF Future Project 2024. (Image courtesy of JAFF Market)

The JAFF Future Project and JAFF Content Market return as part of JAFF Market, which will take place on November 29 – December 1, 2025, in Yogyakarta. Open to support the development of Asia-Pacific film projects and the international circulation of Indonesian content, filmmakers and original intellectual property (IP) creators are now invited to submit their works.

Submissions can be made through the online application at www.jaff-market.com from August 1 to September 1, 2025. Both the JAFF Future Project and the JAFF Content Market are recognized as key platforms driving the growth of the Asian film industry. Beyond highlighting creative aspects, they also strengthen distribution channels, partnerships, and cross-sector innovation.

JAFF Market Director Linda Gozali emphasized that JAFF Market serves as a strategic platform for building long-term connectivity among industry players. “Through JAFF Future Project and JAFF Content Market, we aim to strengthen Indonesia’s and Asia’s position as sources of narratives, innovation, and market opportunities. It is not only about the content or the market, but also about the strategy,” stated on Tuesday (Aug 26, 2025).

This year, the JAFF Future Project continues its partnership with the Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) through the AFF Festival Bridges initiative, supported by the Australian Government, to provide broader international access for selected participants through opportunities for cross-festival collaboration and pitching.

The feature film incubation program is open to submissions from the Asia-Pacific region for projects in the stages of In-Development, Pre-Production, or Work-in-Progress, including both fiction and documentary. Through pitching sessions and industry networking, JAFF Future Project serves as a launching pad for emerging filmmakers to bring their projects closer to realization.

Meanwhile, the JAFF Content Market focuses on original IP works with adaptation potential which ranging from books, comics, games, and songs to digital content. It encourages Indonesian IP owners to expand distribution reach and unlock adaptation opportunities across formats, from feature films and digital platforms to potential franchises.

JAFF Market Head of Program Gita Fara stated that JAFF Market ensures every selected project receives relevant support to expand its reach and impact. According to her, both JAFF Future Project and JAFF Content Market serve as strategic accelerators for the film industry, not only expediting the development of new works but also providing a platform to showcase new talents from Indonesia and Asia to a wider audience.

“Through this initiative, we are committed to opening access to collaboration, networks, and funding opportunities that can foster creative growth while strengthening the position of Indonesian and Asian cinema on the global stage,” she explained.

This year, selected participants from JAFF Future Project and JAFF Content Market will be granted exclusive access to opportunities such as pitching in front of producers, buyers, and decision-makers from across Asia and around the globe. They will also gain access to one-on-one sessions with potential partners, promotional and publicity exposure through JAFF Market’s official materials, and full access to the entire series of JAFF Market events.

During its inaugural edition in 2024, JAFF Market supported a number of Indonesian filmmakers, studios, producers, and projects in participating at Cannes. One highlight was Pangku, a coming-of-age drama set during the 1998 Indonesian economic crisis and the directorial debut of acclaimed Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian.

First introduced through the JAFF Future Project 2024, the film won the White Light Post-Production Award and was screened in the HAF Goes to Cannes program at the 2025 Marché du Film, representing the strength of Indonesian cinematic storytelling.

In addition to Pangku, three original IP projects from the JAFF Content Market 2024 were also brought to the Spotlight Asia – Asian IP Showcase: Showbox Masterclass & Pitching Session at the Marché du Film, underscoring JAFF Market’s commitment to elevating Indonesia’s rich stories and culture onto the world stage.

The Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) Market is thrilled to announce that submissions are now officially open for the 2025 edition of JAFF Future Project and JAFF Content Market, inviting filmmakers and IP creators from Indonesia and the wider Asian region to seize this exceptional opportunity.

Entering its second year, the initiative is tailored to foster creative development, strengthen distribution channels, build industry partnerships, and elevate cross-sector collaborations.

Key Highlights:

• JAFF Future Project (In partnership with Adelaide Film Festival’s AFF Festival Bridges program): Designed for feature-length projects—fiction or documentary—in the development, pre-production, or works-in-progress stages. Selected projects will gain privileged access to pitching sessions, industry matchmaking, and networking opportunities aimed at accelerating production pathways.
• JAFF Content Market: Focused on market-ready original IP—spanning books, comics, games, music, non-fiction works, films, series, animation, and more. Intended for IP creators who wish to explore adaptation potential, distribution reach, and franchise development. Participants will connect directly with decision-makers including buyers, production partners, and platforms.
• Submission Deadline: 1 September 2025, 11:59 PM (GMT+7). Rules and regulations are detailed on the JAFF Market website’s respective pages for each initiative.

JAFF Market’s Global Track Record

Building on its successful 2024 edition, JAFF Market continues to highlight the vibrancy of Indonesian storytelling on the world stage:

• Pangku (On Your Lap)—an alumni of JAFF Future Project—won the White Light Post-Production Award and earned a spot in the HAF Goes to Cannes program at the Marché du Film.
• Three original IP projects from the 2024 Content Market—Bandits of Batavia, Locust, and Jitu—were showcased in the Spotlight Asia – Asian IP Showcase during the Showbox Masterclass & Pitching Session at Marché du Film.

These accomplishments underscore JAFF Market’s mission to promote Indonesian and Asian narratives globally.

Applying Is Easy

Prospective applicants can submit their projects online at www.jaff-market.com. Be sure to review the rules and regulations for each category prior to applying.

About JAFF Market

The JAFF Market is Asia’s premier film and content marketplace, offering filmmakers and IP creators unparalleled guidance, networking, and exposure. Held annually in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, it serves as a dynamic platform linking creative minds across Asia with global platforms, partners, and opportunities.

The Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) is gearing up for the second edition of JAFF Market at the Jogja Expo Center in Yogyakarta.

The industry platform returns following a successful inaugural run in 2024 that drew 6,700 participants from 19 countries, featured 151 exhibition booths, and facilitated 63 business deals totaling around IDR36 billion ($2.2 million). The event forms part of JAFF’s 20th anniversary celebrations as one of Asia Pacific’s leading film festivals.

“JAFF Market was born from JAFF’s long-standing commitment to champion Asian independent cinema,” said Ifa Isfansyah, festival director of JAFF. “We now expand that vision by building an industry-facing space designed to meet today’s demands – one that helps Indonesian stories thrive and compete globally.”
The second edition maintains the six core programs designed to activate the creative value chain: JAFF Future Project for project incubation, Content Market for IP showcase and business matchmaking, Talent Day for emerging talent mentorship, Film & Market Conference for industry dialogues, Market Screening for private buyer screenings, and Film Lab for project development workshops.

The 2025 edition will present 12 films across three days in the JAFF Future Project, targeting Asia-Pacific region participants who incorporate Indonesian elements. The Content Market will showcase 10 IPs for adaptation opportunities, while Talent Day continues its collaboration with major industry players following last year’s partnership with Netflix.

Film Lab opens to five selected development-stage projects focusing on international co-production opportunities, targeting first or second-time feature directors. The Film & Market Conference partners again with APROFI (Indonesian Film Producers Association) to cover themes from talent and creativity to financing, innovation, and regulations.

Vice Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha said: “The government sees JAFF Market as a key partner in driving sustainable growth within the film industry. This platform brings together industry players, as well as laying the foundation for much-needed cross-sector collaboration – essential for positioning Indonesian cinema as both a cultural force and an economic driver in the region.”

Indonesian cinema faces structural challenges despite growing interest. As of May 2025, cinema admissions reached 35 million – 44% of 2024’s 80+ million total – but the country operates with just over 2,200 screens nationwide, creating distribution and IP monetization bottlenecks.

“Our goal is to position JAFF Market as a catalyst for growth across the national film ecosystem – from generating ideas and developing talents to distribution strategies and long-term partnerships,” said Linda Gozali, market director of JAFF Market. “We’re here to bridge Indonesian content with real-world opportunities – both locally and internationally.”

Alumni from JAFF Market 2024 have already made global impact. “Pangku,” a feature by Reza Rahadian, was selected for HAF Goes to Cannes at Marché du Film 2025, while three IP titles – “Bandits of Batavia,” “Jitu,” and “Locust” – successfully participated in the IP Pitching Forum in Cannes.

Early indicators show strong momentum for 2025, with more than 50% of booths already secured and rising sponsor interest. The event positions itself strategically at the end of Southeast Asia’s industry market calendar.

JAFF Market 2025, powered by principal sponsor Amar Bank, runs Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Submissions open July 15-Sept. 10 for most programs, with Content Market submissions closing Aug. 15. The full JAFF festival runs Nov. 29-Dec. 6.

By Naman Ramachandran