Category: news

Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF), Indonesia’s largest and longest-running film festival, proudly announces its 20th edition, taking place from November 29 – December 6, 2025. Marking two decades of its journey, JAFF continues to serve as a premier platform for Asian filmmakers to celebrate, share, and develop the cinematic ecosystem.

Over the years, JAFF has been honored by the presence of esteemed figures such as Tsai Mingliang, renowned master director; Kim Dong-ho, founder of the Busan International Film Festival; Julien Rejl, artistic director of Cannes Directors’ Fortnight; Lee Kang Sheng, Taiwanese actor & director; Kristy Matheson, Director of BFI London Film Festival; and Park Sung Ho, Busan International Film Festival’s programmer. Their participation underscores JAFF’s significance in the global film community.

In 2024, the Indonesian box office achieved a historic milestone, surpassing 80 million admissions, with local films capturing a 65% market share. Notably, the closing film of JAFF 2024, “A Brother and 7 Siblings,” emerged as a box office hit, reflecting the festival’s role in spotlighting impactful cinema.

Following the success of its inaugural edition, JAFF MARKET will return on November 29 – December 1, 2025, providing a vital space for industry players to expand networks, explore collaboration opportunities, and strengthen Indonesia’s film industry on a global scale. “There are two key moments that make JAFF especially significant this year: the celebration of the festival’s 20th edition and the continuation of JAFF MARKET’s second edition following its remarkable success in its inaugural year. We will seize these moments to further strengthen JAFF’s position in supporting the culture and film industry in Indonesia. We are preparing a grand celebration to mark the festival’s 20-year journey, while this year’s JAFF MARKET will provide even more space for exhibitors and international film industry players,” said Ifa Isfansyah, Festival Director of JAFF & Chairman of JAFF MARKET.

JAFF distinguishes itself as the only film festival in Indonesia that unites key industry players, including Netflix, Vidio, MD Entertainment, Miles Films, Visinema, and more. Additionally, it collaborates with over 100 grassroots film communities from across Indonesia’s 17,000 islands, fostering a diverse and inclusive cinematic environment.

In 2024, JAFF recorded 24,462 visitors over eight days, reaffirming its position as the most dynamic film festival in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, the three-day JAFF MARKET (December 3–5, 2024) successfully hosted 151 booths from various industry sectors and attracted 6,723 participants, including producers, distributors, investors, and leading streaming platforms.

The debut of JAFF MARKET immediately captured the attention of the international industry. Choi Yoonhee, CEO of Barunson E&A, recognized JAFF MARKET as a strategic platform for connecting with Indonesia’s film industry. “We have been captivated by Indonesian cinema for years. One of Barunson E&A’s key focuses is collaborating with partners who share our vision of bringing extraordinary Indonesian films to both local and global markets. JAFF MARKET provides an integrated platform that gathers key industry players in one place, offering excellent programs
to understand the business and market direction of Indonesian cinema,” said Choi Yoonhee.

Renowned filmmaker Anthony Chen, who attended JAFF MARKET 2024, also highlighted the growth of Indonesia’s film industry and the emergence of promising new talents. “I have worked as a co-producer on several Indonesian films and have observed from afar the incredible energy emerging from this country. That’s why I was excited to experience Indonesian films from a local audience’s perspective and to discover new talents from a region that seems to hold limitless possibilities,” he said.

Returning bigger and more innovative, JAFF and JAFF MARKET 2025 will be a crucial meeting point for filmmakers, producers, distributors, and investors, reinforcing the film industry ecosystem in Indonesia and across Asia.
Save the Dates!
● JAFF 20 Film Submission Opens: March 1, 2025
● JAFF MARKET Booth Registration Opens: July 17, 2025
● JAFF 20: November 29 – December 6, 2025
● JAFF MARKET: November 29 – December 1, 2025

Rouven Linnarz

Indonesia’s Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) will mark its 20th anniversary with an expanded edition running Nov. 29-Dec. 6, in Yogyakarta. The festival will continue its JAFF Market component for a second year, running Nov. 29-Dec. 1.

The market’s inaugural 2024 edition proved a success, hosting 151 booths and attracting 6,723 participants including producers, distributors, investors and streaming platforms. The main festival drew 24,462 visitors across its eight-day run.

“There are two key moments that make JAFF especially significant this year: the celebration of the festival’s 20th edition and the continuation of JAFF Market’s second edition following its remarkable success in its inaugural year. We will seize these moments to further strengthen JAFF’s position in supporting the culture and film industry in Indonesia. We are preparing a grand celebration to mark the festival’s 20-year journey, while this year’s JAFF Market will provide even more space for exhibitors and international film industry players,” said Ifa Isfansyah, festival director of JAFF and chair of JAFF Market.

The announcement comes as Indonesian cinema reaches new heights, with local films capturing 65% market share and total box office admissions surpassing 80 million in 2024. The festival’s 2024 closing film, “A Brother and 7 Siblings,” emerged as a box office hit.

JAFF has attracted major industry figures over the years, including auteur Tsai Ming-liang, Busan fest founder Kim Dong-ho, Cannes Directors’ Fortnight artistic director Julien Rejl, and BFI London Film Festival director Kristy Matheson.

The market component has already gained international attention. “We have been captivated by Indonesian cinema for years. One of Barunson E&A’s key focuses is collaborating with partners who share our vision of bringing extraordinary Indonesian films to both local and global markets. JAFF Market provides an integrated platform that gathers key industry players in one place, offering excellent programs to understand the business and market direction of Indonesian cinema,” said Choi Yoonhee, CEO of Korean sales and production company Barunson E&A.

Filmmaker Anthony Chen, who served on the 2024 festival jury and attended the market, noted the region’s potential: “I have worked as a co-producer on several Indonesian films and have observed from afar the incredible energy emerging from this country. That’s why I was excited to experience Indonesian films from a local audience’s perspective and to discover new talents from a region that seems to hold limitless possibilities.”

JAFF distinguishes itself as Indonesia’s only film festival uniting major industry players including Netflix, Vidio, MD Entertainment, Miles Films and Visinema. The festival also maintains partnerships with over 100 grassroots film communities across Indonesia’s archipelago.

Film submissions for JAFF’s 20th edition open March 1, with market booth registration beginning July 17.

Jogja NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) is ready to greet film lovers again in its 20th edition which will take place on November 29 – December 6, 2025.

As the largest and longest-running film festival in Indonesia, JAFF continues to be the premier platform for Asian filmmakers to celebrate, share, and develop the film ecosystem.

Over the past 19 editions, JAFF has become a stage for many big names in the film industry, both from Asia and the world. Figures such as Tsai Ming-liang, maestro director from Taiwan; Kim Dong-ho, founder of Busan International Film Festival; to Julien Rejl, artistic director of Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, have attended the festival.

Not only that, JAFF has also welcomed Lee Kang-sheng, a renowned actor and director from Taiwan; Kristy Matheson, Director of the BFI London Film Festival; and Park Sung-ho, programmer of the Busan International Film Festival. Their presence confirms JAFF as an event that counts in the global arena, as well as a bridge for Asian filmmakers to gain wider exposure in the international film industry.

Interestingly, JAFF MARKET will be held again on November 29 – December 1, 2025, continuing the success of the previous edition. As one of the flagship programs, JAFF MARKET is a strategic platform for film industry players to expand networks, explore collaboration opportunities, and open access for Indonesian films in the global market.

“We are preparing a big celebration to mark the 20th anniversary of the festival, while this year’s JAFF Market will present a wider space for exhibitors and international film industry players,” said Ifa Isfansyah, Festival Director of JAFF & Chairman of JAFF MARKET, in a press release received by Medcom.id.

JAFF is not just a movie screening event, but also a meeting place for major players in the film industry, from Netflix, Vidio, MD Entertainment, to Visinema. Not only that, the festival collaborates with more than 80 film communities from across Indonesia, creating a dynamic and inclusive ecosystem.

In its 19th edition in 2024, JAFF recorded a remarkable achievement with 24,462 visitors in eight days of organization, further confirming its position as the most dynamic film festival in Southeast Asia.

On the other hand, the three-day JAFF MARKET (December 3-5, 2024) also showed significant growth. With 151 booths from various industry sectors, the event successfully attracted 6,723 participants, including producers, distributors, investors, and representatives from leading streaming platforms.

Singaporean director Anthony Chen also appreciated the rapid development of Indonesia’s film industry. He also highlighted the emergence of promising new talents, signaling a bright future for Indonesian cinema in the international arena.

“I have worked as a co-producer in several Indonesian films and observed from afar the incredible energy that is emerging from this country. Therefore, I am excited to experience Indonesian films through the perspective of local audiences and discover new talents emerging from a region that seems to have endless possibilities,” said Chen.

JAFF and JAFF MARKET 2025 return with a larger scale and fresher innovations. This year, the festival is poised to become a strategic platform for filmmakers, producers, distributors, and investors to collaborate and strengthen the Indonesian and Asian film ecosystem.

Here are the dates of JAFF & JAFF MARKET 2025:
JAFF 20: November 29 – December 6, 2025
JAFF MARKET: November 29 – December 1, 2025
JAFF 20 Open Submission: Starting March 1, 2025
JAFF MARKET Booth Registration: Starting July 17, 2025
(Basuki Rachmat)

The inaugural edition of JAFF Market became a new platform for Asian filmmakers to network and collaborate, strengthening the Indonesian film ecosystem.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The 19th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) this year introduced JAFF Market, a new initiative that will take place on December 3-5, 2024 in Yogyakarta. The event is presented as a networking medium for the Indonesian film ecosystem.

A New Medium for Indonesian Cinema

Linda Gozali, Director of JAFF Market, revealed that JAFF Market is a special momentum for the film world in the country. “We want there to be a lot of interaction. So the opportunity to connect with each other is very wide and open,” she told Tempo, on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

Linda emphasized that the focus of JAFF Market is not only on filmmakers or production houses, but also on the distinctiveness and identity of local filmmakers. For this reason, film communities from Yogyakarta also get space to appear. “There are around 70-80 communities in Jogja itself. There will also be a showcase,” he said.

Showcasing the New Generation of Film

JAFF Market seeks to embrace all elements in the film industry. One of them is by holding a Talent Day sponsored by Netflix. The program is designed to showcase new talent in various fields, including special effects, sound design, and post-production management.

“There are those who we have curated, have been in the industry, but are not well known. So we are introducing the rising stars that are coming, hopefully,” he said.

The 19th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF), which carries the theme ‘Metanoia’, will be held from November 30 to December 7, 2024. This theme reflects the continuous transformation of Asian cinema in facing global challenges. This year, JAFF presents 180 films from 25 Asia Pacific countries in competition and non-competition programs.

There are 12 feature films competing in the Main Competition for the Golden and Silver Hanoman Awards, including Viet and Nam by director Truong Minh Quy from Vietnam and In the Land of Brothers by Raha Amirfazli and Alireza Ghasemi.

Additionally, in the Light of Asia category, 18 short films competed for the Blencong Awards. Another competition is the JAFF Indonesian Screen Awards. Not only that, 6 Indonesian films will also compete in the JAFF Indonesian Screen Awards program for the Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenwriter, Best Cast, and Best Cinematography awards.

Source By Tempo

JAFF Market , the first film market in Indonesia, recorded various interesting achievements. As the first film market in Indonesia held for three days on December 3-5 at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC), Yogyakarta, JAFF Market received a total of 6,723 visitors from 18 different countries.

During the three days, there were 151 booths opened, 1,767 meetings held, 61 MoUs signed, 164 journalists from various countries attended, and 1,054 market badges. Then, the JAFF Content Market program received 43 registrants with 10 selected projects that have resulted in 144 meetings.

“The three-day JAFF Market has shown the high enthusiasm of film industry players in Indonesia and this can be seen from the number of meetings that took place during the JAFF Market. This is read as a sign that the Indonesian film industry is open to collaborating with each other both in Indonesian and international territories,” said Ajish Dibyo as Executive Director of JAFF Market at the closing of JAFF Market at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC), Yogyakarta, Thursday (5/12).

Some of the collaborations that have also been established include Miles Films’ latest film titled Rangga & Cinta which will begin the production process with support from Barunson E&A (Korea) and Imajinari thanks to the network at JAFF Market. Meanwhile, Magma Entertainment has collaborated with Komet Productions from Malaysia and Caravan Studio.

The Indonesian Ministry of Culture also announced a partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the field of audiovisual co-production. This collaboration provides an opportunity for filmmakers from both countries to receive funding from both governments. The agreement was signed by the Director General of Culture and Media of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science Barbera Wolfensberger, and the Indonesian Deputy Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha.(M-2)

Source By Media Indonesia

By Fathurrozak

The three-day event will be held at the Jogja Expo Centre in conjunction with the 19^th Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF), which runs from November 30 – December 7. Around 150 local production companies, service providers and institutions will host booths on the market floor, including Visinema Pictures, MD Entertainment, Imajinari Pictures and Miles Films.

The market also comprises JAFF Future Project, a film financing market that includes 10 in-development projects; JAFF Content Market, an IP showcase for film adaptation; Talent Day, a collaborative programme with Netflix to spotlight 24 local talents; Indonesia-France Film Lab, offering a line-up of six projects that have the potential to collaborate with France and Europe; and a series of talks and panel discussions.

Screen spoke to Linda Gozali, film producer and head of JAFF Market. Following the footsteps of her late father Hendrick Gozali, founder of Garuda Film, she co-founded Magma Entertainment with her brother Charles in 2003. Her producing credits include 2020 romantic comedy The Heartbreak Club and 2022 horror hit Qodrat. She recently served as secretary-general of the Citra Award committee for the Indonesian Film Festival from 2021-2023.

Why is it important to launch a new industry market at JAFF?

It is pivotal to our vision for empowering the Indonesian film industry. While JAFF as a festival has long celebrated cinematic artistry, a new market complements this by focusing on the business, providing a platform for filmmakers, producers and investors to connect and collaborate.

How will it benefit the Indonesian film industry?

It is time for Indonesia to have a film market of its own. The Indonesian film industry has been growing in the past three years with the box office for domestic films outperforming the previous annual achievements year-on-year, expanding the market share for Indonesian movies to over 60%.

Since the pandemic, numerous film producers have brought Indonesia into the international limelight, such as Yulia Evina Bhara (Autobiography), Mandy Marahimin (Crocodile Tears), and Gita Fara (Before, Now, And Then). More local filmmakers are enthusiastic to seek opportunities outside of Indonesia. The new market is a significant step forward to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of Indonesian cinema.

How long has the market been in the pipeline?

The groundwork began two years ago with informal filmmaker collaborations at the film festival level of JAFF. Recognising this organic growth, we formalised the market concept through focus group discussions with local and international stakeholders to ensure its relevance and scale.

Did you have a specific model you have in mind when positioning the market?

We’ve explored the format of various international film markets, aiming to create a space that combines casual interactions with purposeful business development. The atmosphere we envision mirrors the dynamic and approachable nature of Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market, while tailoring it to the unique needs of our local film community.

Where is the funding coming from?

Funding is supported by the long-standing success of JAFF, which is now in its 19^th year, alongside contributions from the Indonesian government and passionate private investors who believe in the sustainability of the film industry.

What have been some of the challenges?

We realise that creating Indonesia’s first film market meant aligning local priorities and presenting them effectively on the global stage. The main challenge is to bring the local filmmaking industry to partake in the JAFF Market. The second issue is to expand the network beyond Southeast Asia, while banking on the growing international interests to seek fresh ideas and intriguing content from Indonesia, which is one of the largest content markets in the region.

Our solution is twofold: showcasing fresh Indonesian projects to attract investment and collaboration, and strengthening human resources through targeted partnerships with international platforms.

What sets the JAFF Market apart in a market overcrowded with industry events?

The defining highlight is the celebration of Indonesia’s film industry, placing a spotlight on its filmmakers and the ecosystem they’ve nurtured. Unlike other regional or international markets, this event is distinctly Indonesian, showcasing the traditions, creativity, and professionalism that make our industry unique. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the culture and collaboration that drive Indonesian cinema forward.

Another key feature is our focus on future projects and the content market, which are deeply rooted in Indonesian culture. These initiatives bring the unmistakable character of Indonesia to the forefront, ensuring that every collaboration retains an authentic touch of our heritage while reaching for global appeal.

JAFF Market is overlapping with Singapore’s long-running Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) and Singapore International Film Festival’s new Industry Days conference. Is there any way to create synergy in the future?

The dates for JAFF Market are determined well in advance to align with the festival’s established tradition of running in late November through early December. The overlap is unintentional.

While SGIFF and ATF have their unique strengths, JAFF Market carves out its space by showcasing Indonesia’s dynamic growth in cinema, from rising box office numbers to internationally recognised filmmakers such as Garin Nugroho, Kamila Andini, Ifa Isfansyah, Edwin and Riri Riza. We value the role of SGIFF in the regional industry and are always open to exploring future collaborations that mutually benefit both events.

By Silvia Wong

The 19th edition of Indonesia’s Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) was its most successful one yet and the inaugural JAFF Market proved to be an auspicious debut. Variety was present to report on both.

To put matters in context, films from Indonesia now routinely get selected and win prizes at major international festivals. The local market in Indonesia, which has the fourth-largest population in the world with 283 million, is rapidly expanding with homegrown productions accounting for a significant share of the local box office. Indonesia is also bolstering its cultural policies that include an annual $13 million international co-production grant.

THE JAFF Market event has ended on Thursday (5/12). The first film market in Indonesia was held for three days on 3-5 December at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC), Yogyakarta. In addition to being a transaction and meeting event for film industry players, and exhibiting various latest titles from production houses, JAFF Market also presents various programs. One of them is the JAFF Future Project.

JAFF Future Project is a space for emerging filmmakers to meet with industry professionals. Designed to find potential and quality feature film projects.

JAFF Future Project received 74 applicants. Then 10 projects were selected consisting of 7 projects from Indonesia, 1 project from Malaysia, and 2 projects from Australia. JAFF Future Project has also successfully held 243 meetings and produced 4 awards, namely the Kongchak Award, the Whitelight Post-Production Award, and two from the BSM Award which were announced at the closing of JAFF Market on Thursday (5/12). Here is a list of winners at JAFF Future Project:

1. Kongchak Award

The Silent Village (Safe/Peaceful) by director Ho Yuhang, producer Lorna Tee, Barunson E&A.

2. White Light Post-Production Award

Pangku (Motion Picture Film) film by director Reza Rahadian

3. BSM Awards

The Silent Village (Safe/Peaceful) by director Ho Yuhang, producer Lorna Tee, Barunson E&A.

4. BSM Awards

Until Death (Sampai Mati) by director Ben Golotta.(M-2)

Source By Media Indonesia

By Fathurrozzak

Indonesian production “The Light of Fire” (Tinju Api), a coming-of-age action drama from director-writer Sesarini, is being presented at the inaugural JAFF Market, running alongside the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival.

The project, produced by Lyza Anggraheni and Ismail Basbeth under their banner Ruang Basbeth Bercerita, follows 17-year-old Yuda, whose father is killed in an underground boxing match. The story tracks his journey into illegal boxing as he seeks vengeance, ultimately discovering that healing comes not through revenge but through embracing his father’s legacy.

The film has already gained attention on the development circuit, securing second place at the 2023 Indonesiana script lab program after being selected for the Producer Lab at Jakarta Film Week 2022.

A new documentary project, “Me, My Mother’s Favorite Monkey” (Aku, Monyet Kesayangan Ibuku), helmed by director Ivonne Kani, examines Chinese-Indonesian identity through the lens of intergenerational family dynamics at the inaugural JAFF Market in Yogyakarta.

The film follows Kani’s year-long journey exploring her cultural heritage through traditional Chinese rituals including Chinese New Year, Tomb Sweeping Day (Qing Ming), and the Winter Solstice Festival (Dongzhi). Drawing parallels to the Monkey King from “Journey to the West,” Kani documents her relationship with her mother while addressing the complexities of being ethnic Chinese in Indonesia.

“Through this film, I aim to confront the tension between my personal choices and my family’s cultural expectations,” says Kani, who positions herself both behind and in front of the camera wearing a golden headpiece inspired by Sun Wukong (the Monkey King). Her journey is particularly influenced by observing her mother’s experience with menopause, prompting reflections on societal expectations for women.

The documentary employs fire as a recurring visual motif, appearing in various forms including burning incense, altar candles, and ritual offerings. These elements connect to deeper themes of unspoken trauma within the Chinese-Indonesian community, stemming from historical periods of violence and oppression.

Producer Frederica Nancy connected with the project’s themes on a personal level. “Whenever I say I can’t speak Chinese, I sometimes find some sort of ‘Oh that’s too bad’ expression from the people who ask. Believe me, I feel that too,” Nancy says. “Why do I feel so distant from my roots, when I never intentionally reject them?”

The documentary addresses the lasting impact of the Suharto regime’s New Order restrictions on Chinese language and cultural practices, which were lifted in 1998 but continue to influence the Chinese-Indonesian community’s sense of belonging.

The project is being presented at the JAFF Market, running Dec. 3-5 alongside the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival, where the team hopes to strengthen connections within Indonesia’s documentary ecosystem. “We hope that documentaries can meet a broader community of people,” says Nancy, emphasizing their goal to “strengthen the Indonesian documentary ecosystem, nationally and globally.”

The film aims to serve as a micro-history, offering insight into the experiences of ethnic Chinese living outside China while exploring universal questions of identity and belonging.

“Me, My Mother’s Favorite Monkey” is at the market’s Future Project platform.

Source By Variety

By Naman Ramachandran