Category: news

Yogyakarta, 01 December 2025 — JAFF Market 2025 Powered by Amar Bank officially wrapped today at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC), Yogyakarta, following three days of concentrated market activity, international networking, and deal-oriented conversations that underscored Indonesia’s growing influence within the screen and creative sectors.

Throughout the event, the JEC became a meeting ground for policy makers, private capital, creative ideas and commercial strategy. Industry stakeholders ranging from producers, studios, and national film bodies to investors, technology platforms, and filmmakers from Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America gathered to explore co-production models, funding pathways, and content development strategies shaped by Indonesia’s fast-evolving creative economy.

This second edition recorded its strongest participation to date, welcoming:

• 116 exhibitors and 122 companies
• Over 1431 accredited industry participants
• Over 7784 visitors
• Participants from over 14 countries
• 2433 one-on-one meetings for programs/exhibitors, pitching sessions, and closed-door business discussions 

JAFF Market also deepened its cross-sector collaboration through strong engagement from both public institutions and private enterprise. Backing from national ministries, international cultural organizations, and regional authorities, combined with rising participation from corporations, state-owned enterprises, and consumer and technology brands, signals growing confidence in the creative sector as a long-term economic driver.

Key partners this year included the Ministry of Culture (Kemenkebud), Ministry of Creative Economy (Kemenekraf), Embassy of France in Indonesia, Motion Picture Association (MPA), the Asian Film Alliance Network (AFAN), Adelaide Film Festival (AFF), CNC, and a broad range of industry leaders across finance, energy, technology, and consumer sectors.

“JAFF Market continues to grow not just in scale, but in purpose. We are building a platform that connects ideas to capital, talent to opportunity, and Indonesia to the world. What we saw over these 3 days is proof that Indonesia’s film industry is ready for deeper investment, stronger regulation, and wider collaboration,” said Linda Gozali, Market Director JAFF Market.

A series of industry awards and development grants were announced during the closing ceremony, supported by regional studios, international institutions, and corporate partners. These accolades ranged from financial support and post-production services to international market access, designed to provide selected projects with tangible support toward production and global exposure.

This year’s recipients included:

• Motion Picture Association (MPA) Award, travel and accommodation support for two producers from two projects to attend the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) 2026, awarded to Our Son and My Mother.
• MTN International Facilitation to Rotterdam Lab 2026, awarded to Evil Underground.
• MTN International Facilitation to Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) 2026, awarded to A Life Full of Holes.
• Kongchak Studio Award, sound design post-production support valued at USD 10,000, awarded to Ghost Island.
• White Light Award, color grading and mastering services valued at USD 15,000, awarded to Rose Pandanwangi
• Prodigihouse Ecosystem Award, editing and color grading support valued at USD 15,000, awarded to Ghost Island.
• Prodigihouse Ecosystem (Color Grading) Award, color grading support valued at USD 9,000, awarded to Our Son.
• Brandlink Indonesia Award, production equipment support valued at IDR 500,000,000 (USD 30,000) per project, awarded to A Life Full of Holes and To My Dearest, My Dear….
• Visinema Award, development grants of IDR 50,000,000 (USD 3,000) per project, awarded to To My Dearest, My Dear… and Ghost Island.
• The United Team of Art Award, development grant of IDR 100,000,000 (USD 4,000), awarded to A Life Full of Holes.
• In addition, through the JAFF Content Market, in collaboration with the Ministry of Creative Economy (Kemenekraf) and Asia Content Film Market (ACFM), two intellectual properties were selected to be showcased at ACFM 2026. This distinction was awarded to Elang Hitam and World Without Sleep.

The closing of JAFF Market 2025 signaled a growing confidence in Indonesia as a serious player in the global screen industry. With rising international attendance, stronger institutional backing, and an increasingly diverse range of projects and partners, the Market has evolved into a key meeting point for Asian and global film professionals.

At the closing of Southeast Asia’s largest film market, Variety also announced the Hot Picks Indonesian Films for 2026. A total of 12 titles were highlighted as must-watch films for the coming year, namely: Children of Heaven , Dance of the Damned (Badut Gendong), Four Seasons in Java (Empat Musim Pertiwi), Garuda: Dare to Dream (Garuda di Dadaku), Ghost in the Cell, The Last Flight (Penerbangan Terakhir), Na Willa, Operation: Pesta Pora (Operasi Pesta Pora), Rainbow in Mars (Pelangi di Mars), Sea Speaks His Name (Laut Bercerita), Sleep No More (Monster Pabrik Rambut), and Suzanna Witchcraft (Suzzanna: Santet Dosa Di Atas Dosa)

Looking ahead, JAFF Market will continue to strengthen its position as a catalyst for cross-border collaboration, investment, and talent development. The Market is committed to expanding its international network, refining its industry programs, and creating deeper engagement between Indonesian creators and the global film ecosystem.

“We are not just hosting an event — we are building an industry platform,” said Linda Gozali, Market Director of JAFF Market. “Our focus going forward is sustainability, impact, and access. We want Indonesian stories to travel, Indonesian talent to be seen, and Indonesian projects to be viable, competitive, and investable across global markets.”

As part of its long-term commitment to data-driven ecosystem development, JAFF Market also released its inaugural JAFF Market Film Industry Report in partnership with Cinepoint, providing the most comprehensive overview to date of Indonesia’s admissions growth, economic impact, production trends, affordability metrics, and regional competitiveness. The report is available for public download.

JAFF Market also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with government bodies, international organizations, and private-sector partners to ensure long-term growth for Indonesia’s creative economy. The combination of policy support, private investment, and talent development continues to shape JAFF Market’s role as a bridge between local voices and global opportunities.

With this year’s edition setting a new benchmark in scale, engagement, and output, JAFF Market now turns its attention toward its next edition — carrying forward its mission to elevate Indonesian cinema while positioning Southeast Asia as a key hub within the international film industry landscape.

Yogyakarta, 30 November 2025 — JAFF Market in partnership with Cinepoint officially launched its Film Industry Report during JAFF Market 2025 Powered by Amar Bank (29 November – 1 December 2025), presenting the most comprehensive data driven overview of Indonesia’s rapidly evolving screen industry to date. The report brings together long fragmented metrics across admissions, economic impact, production output, affordability, screen density, and investment trends, positioning it as a foundational reference for policy and industry planning.

As the first major publication from JAFF Market’s Data and Analytics Division, the report reflects a strengthened commitment to building an evidence-based creative ecosystem that supports informed decision making for producers, platforms, investors, government institutions, and regional partners.

Gundy Cahyadi, Head of Data and Analytics at JAFF Market, emphasised the importance of establishing a unified baseline. “Indonesia’s film industry has expanded quickly, but understanding where that growth occurs has often been incomplete. This report consolidates essential indicators the sector has long needed. It is not only a snapshot, but a framework to guide long term planning and benchmarking,” he said.

Sigit Prabowo, Co-Founder of Cinepoint, highlighted the value of shared data. “A healthy market depends on accessible information. Through this partnership, we aim to equip filmmakers, distributors, exhibitors, and investors with insights that were previously scattered or unavailable. This report supports a more transparent, collaborative, and investment ready environment,” he stated.

Designed to be accessible and practical, the report encourages further dialogue and analysis while offering actionable insights for industry stakeholders. By presenting a cohesive picture of Indonesia’s film landscape, JAFF Market seeks to strengthen transparency, improve strategic decision making, and support the long term development of one of Asia’s most dynamic creative markets.

Key Findings from the Film Industry Report:

• Cinema admissions continue to rise. Local film attendance reached 82 million in 2024 and has potential to surpass 100 million by 2026, growing an estimated ten percent annually.
• The economic contribution is significant. Indonesia’s screen sector generated USD 8.2 billion in output, contributed USD 5.1 billion to GDP, and supported 387 thousand jobs in 2022.
• Film output is increasing. Indonesian theatrically-distributed productions are projected to reach 200 titles per year by 2028, up from 152 in 2024, as established studios and new entrants invest in a strong domestic market.
• Local films dominate demand. Indonesian titles secured 65 percent of the national box office in 2024. The top ten local films recorded 33.5 million admissions, far surpassing the 20.1 million admissions from imported releases.
• Indonesia remains under screened. Cinema visits average only 0.45 per person per year, among the lowest globally, demonstrating large untapped audience potential.
• Screen density is still low. Indonesia has 7.7 screens per one million people, with the majority located in Java, highlighting regional imbalance and large opportunities for expansion.
• Cinema going is a middle class privilege. Indonesian audiences spend a share of income per ticket that is six times higher than viewers in Singapore or North America, indicating the need for more accessible exhibition models.
• Investment interest is rising, but capability varies. Future industry growth depends on capital that brings expertise in networks, distribution, and marketing, not only funding.
• Policy modernization is essential. The report calls for a regulatory shift toward content classification and reinvestment based approaches that support industry stability and long term development.
• The outlook is promising. With strengthened data systems, improved regulation, and greater access, Indonesia is positioned to become a creative leader in Southeast Asia with stories that resonate globally.

Sekarini Seruni, Business Director of JAFF Market, underscored the strategic importance of the report as the Market looks ahead to its next phase of growth. “This report is more than a compilation of numbers. It is a map of where the industry stands and a compass for where it needs to go. For years, Indonesia’s creative sector has grown on intuition and momentum. Now we have the baseline that allows us to build with intention. Data is the bridge that connects creative ambition with sustainable industry structure. It guides investors toward real opportunity, helps policymakers understand where support is needed, and gives filmmakers clearer visibility of the landscape they are building in. Our goal is for this report to become a living reference for the sector, updated, expanded, and used widely as Indonesia strengthens its place in the global creative economy.”

The Film Industry Report by JAFF Market in partnership with Cinepoint is available for public download here. 

Yogyakarta, 29 November 2025 — JAFF Market 2025 Powered by Amar Bank officially opened today at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC), Yogyakarta, marking Indonesia’s most ambitious gathering for the film and creative industries to date. This year, JAFF Market welcomes over 114 exhibitors, more than 1500 accredited visitors, and a growing delegation of international guests, visitors, production companies, distributors, national film agencies, creative studios, and cross-sector partners from across the Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Over the next three days, participants will engage in a wide range of pitching platforms, business meetings, talent development programs, and curated industry forums.

As part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF20), this year’s edition significantly expands its industry footprint through six core programs, including JAFF Future Project, JAFF Content Market, Talent Day, Film and Market Conference, Market Screening, and the Indonesia–France Film Lab x MTN Lab. 

JAFF Market 2025 Powered by Amar Bank features:

• 10 Asia-Pacific film projects under JAFF Future Project including 2 projects from Australia in partnership with Adelaide Film Festival (AFF)
• JAFF Content Market showcase of 10 selected original Indonesian IPs across games, comics, digital content, animation, and literature
• 22 emerging talents featured in Talent Day
• 15 conference sessions with 59 speakers from film, policy, finance, and creative sectors
• 176 films showcased through Market Screenings
• 6 Indonesia film lab projects supported by 33 participants on the Indonesia-France Film Lab x MTN Lab program.

Institutional support for JAFF Market 2025 is broader and stronger than ever. Powered by the private sector through Amar Bank, this year’s edition is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture (Kemenkebud) and the Ministry of Creative Economy (Kemenekraf), along with the support of the Embassy of France in Indonesia, the local governments of Jakarta and Yogyakarta, and international partners. Together they champion JAFF Market’s mission of strengthening Indonesia’s creative industries on the global stage. Their collective presence reflects a clear commitment to industry growth, investment readiness, and regional market expansion.

“We are delighted to welcome everyone to JAFF Market 2025. Indonesia’s film industry is entering a pivotal moment where local films are securing over 60 percent of the box office, production activity is rising, and the region’s creative energy is stronger than ever. To sustain this momentum, we must continue strengthening regulation, incentives, investment, and long-term infrastructure. JAFF Market plays an important role in opening global access for Indonesian storytellers, and the strong international participation this year shows that Indonesia and Southeast Asia are increasingly viewed not just as markets, but as creative centres and investment destinations,” said Linda Gozali, Market Director JAFF Market.

In attendance at the opening of JAFF Market 2025 were Ahmad Mahendra, Director General for Cultural Development and Empowerment at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia; Sultan Baktiar Najamudin, Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI); and Rano Karno, Deputy Governor of Jakarta. Their presence underscored the government’s growing support for strengthening the country’s film ecosystem.

Since its inaugural edition, JAFF Market has been recognized as a vital meeting ground for filmmakers, producers, distributors, and other industry players to expand networks and reinforce the film value chain. Government institutions have not only backed the ecosystem but also taken an active role in driving the sector’s growth.

The government hopes that JAFF Market will continue to advance Indonesia’s film industry while generating broader economic impact at both national and regional levels.

This year at JAFF Market, participation and collaboration from both domestic and international partners continue to grow, signaling rising confidence in Indonesia’s dynamic screen economy. Corporate involvement and leading private-sector companies are increasingly active, while international collaboration remains a defining strength. Partnerships include APROFI (Association of Indonesian Film Producers), Adelaide Film Festival (AFF), Asian Film Alliance Network (AFAN), Motion Picture Association (MPA), and numerous global institutions, all helping to strengthen co-production pathways, industry learning, and shared initiatives that position Yogyakarta as a rising hub for international film exchange.

Representing Indonesia’s vibrant creative landscape, JAFF Market brings together major companies and associations including Visinema, Imajinari, MAGMA Entertainment, Forka Films, Mandela Pictures, VMS, Starvision, Rapi Films, Base Entertainment, BSM, MVP, Cinepoint, Sinemaku, Soda Machine Films, Paragon Pictures, Maxstream Studios, Studio Antelope, Wahana Creator, TUTA Films, Kawan-Kawan Media, Miles Films, and more. 

On the international front, the Market welcomes KOFIC, KCFIN, FINAS, CFAM, MPA, Toei, Mockingbird, Skyline Studio, Nikkatsu, Golden Scene, Bitters End, Rediance, AFF, Kongchak Studios, White Light, CNC, Unijapan/TIFFCOM, HAF, Beta Group, Impact Films, Udine Far East Film Festival, Barunson E&A, VIPO, Cannes Semaine de la Critique, Finecut, Sony Pictures, Mokster, Hubert Bals Fund, Variety, Screen Daily, Content Asia TV, Netherlands Film Fonds, Berlinale, Bangkok International Film Festival, Red Sea Souk, Giraffe & E&W Films, Loaded Films, Screenworks Asia, and many more.

In support of project development and creative advancement, JAFF Market 2025 also presents a series of industry awards contributed by leading companies across the region:

• • The United Team of Art (TUTA Films) Awards will support one project with cash awards IDR 100.000.0000 or around USD 6,000.
  • The Visinema Awards are granted to two projects with a cash award IDR 50.000.000 or around USD 3,000.
  • The Brandlink Awards provide two projects with equipment facilities valued at IDR 500.000.000 or around USD 30,000. 
  • The Kongchak Award provide post production support for one project with sound design facilities valued at USD 10,000
  • The White Light Award for one project with color grading and mastering facilities valued at USD 15,000
  • The Prodigihouse Ecosystem Award for one project with editing and color grading facilities valued at USD 15,000.
  • The Motion Picture Association (MPA) will present one special award, offering an MPA-sponsored return trip for one to the 2026 Asia Pacific Screen Forum and Awards on the Gold Coast, Australia for 1 project and 2 participants. 
  • MTN International Facilitation goes to Rotterdam Lab to support 1 (one) selected producer from the JAFF Future Project participants to join the Rotterdam Film Lab program in January 2026.
  • MTN International Facilitation goes to HAF to support for 1 (one) selected project, consisting of 2 (two) team members, to participate in HAF (Hongkong-Asia Film Financing Forum) at the Hong Kong FILMART in March 2026.

JAFF Market is excited to collaborate with a wide range of agencies and organisations in presenting official lunches and networking events throughout the program, creating meaningful spaces for regional dialogue and cross sector exchange. Industry Lunches will be hosted by the Ministry of Creative Economy Republic Indonesia (EKRAF), Korean Film Council (KOFIC), and the French Embassy in Indonesia together with Institut Français d’Indonésie (IFI) in collaboration with Asosiasi Produser Film Indonesia (APROFI). JAFF Future Project (JFP) Lunches will feature The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), Adelaide Film Festival (AFF), and Tokyo International Film Festival Content Market (TIFFCOM). Happy Hour Networking sessions will be supported by the Korean Film Commission and Industry Network (KFCIN), Triple Green CineCapital (TGC), and the Asian Film Alliance Network (AFAN) in collaboration with Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC).

The inaugural edition of JAFF Market in 2024 exceeded expectations as a vibrant hub for collaboration, dealmaking, and cross-sector partnerships. This second edition promises even stronger momentum, deeper industry insights, and a broader convergence of creative communities from across the region.

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

The Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival is doubling down on intellectual property development with the unveiling of 10 original IPs selected for its 2025 Content Market, backed by Indonesia‘s Ministry of Creative Economy.

Set to run Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at Yogyakarta’s Jogja Expo Center during JAFF’s 20th anniversary celebration, the Content Market will showcase properties spanning games, comics, novels, animation and digital content — all vetted for screen adaptation potential.

“The strength of Indonesia’s creative economy lies in its storytelling,” said Teuku Riefky Harsya, Minister of Creative Economy. “Through platforms like JAFF Content Market, we can transform local intellectual properties into globally relevant creative products.”

The selected lineup includes video game “Amurva” from Ninoi Kiling; comics “Elang Hitam” by Edwin Fernando Tranggono, “Jemawa Yangti” by M. Shahriza Rijadi, “Journal of Terror” by Sweta Kartika, “The Summoning” by Iskandar Salim and “World Without Sleep” by Ferdian Feisal; animation project “Meng” from Monoma Films; novels “Sangkakala di Langit Andalusia” by Hanum Salsabiela Rais and “Tabi” by Marchella FP; and digital content “Gloomy Sunday” by Fanky Landerson.

Each IP underwent curatorial review assessing narrative strength, visual potential, commercial viability and cross-sector collaboration readiness. The program is designed to bridge Indonesia’s publishing, gaming and music sectors with its expanding film and streaming industries.

“Many of our nation’s best stories already live in books, songs and games, and this platform helps them find new life through film and series adaptation,” said Linda Gozali, market director of JAFF Market. “Our goal is to position Indonesia not only as a production destination but also as a source of original, adaptable ideas.”

The initiative builds on momentum from JAFF Content Market 2024, when three Indonesian IPs — “Bandits of Batavia,” “Locust” and “Jitu” — were selected for Cannes Film Festival’s Spotlight Asia program, connecting creators with studios and distributors focused on Asian IP adaptation.

The Content Market, sponsored by Amar Bank, facilitates curated pitching sessions and business meetings between IP creators and producers, investors and distributors from across Asia.

The film festival runs through Dec. 6.

by JAFF Market

In today’s fast-shifting creative economy, the lines between media formats are blurring. Cinema is no longer the only way for stories to reach audiences. Music, books, video games, web content, and even academic research now shape the value chain of storytelling. Recognizing this evolution, JAFF Market launched the JAFF Content Market (JCM) as a cross-platform, cross-sectoral space for collaboration.

At the heart of JCM is a simple but strategic premise: intellectual property (IP) has value that extends far beyond its original medium. Whether it’s a coming-of-age novel, an indie song with viral traction, or a science paper on food security, these works have the potential to evolve into films, documentaries, podcasts, animations, or games. JCM serves as a bridge, connecting IP holders with producers, screenwriters, studios, and distribution platforms eager to adapt compelling ideas into new formats.

“We’re seeing a major shift in how stories are born and circulated,” said Linda Gozali, Market Director of JAFF Market. “JAFF Content Market provides the space for IP to find the right partner for film adaptation—whether it’s a producer, writer, or creative house with aligned vision.”

IP as a Multi-Format Asset

JCM invites participation from a wide spectrum of IP owners. Book authors, comic illustrators, game developers, songwriters, researchers, and archivists alongside traditional filmmakers, are all encouraged to pitch their work in JCM’s  structured and curated environment. JCM is designed to create new routes for commercialization, impact, and long-term creative development.

Comics and animation are two sectors seeing high interest from both investors and producers. IP in the form of webtoons or short-form digital animation already has visual momentum and established audiences—key leverage points when negotiating live-action adaptations or international licensing deals. Some have even begun early-stage development for feature-length versions tailored for regional streaming platforms.

Music, too, is proving successful in content adaptation. Songs with strong emotional tone or viral success often inspire narrative projects. What begins as a popular TikTok track can evolve into a youth romance film or a nostalgic music-driven drama. The growing interplay between musicians and visual storytellers points toward a future of transmedia storytelling.

More than just transactions, these exchanges are relational. JCM functions as a meeting place for storytellers and story enablers, linking IP creators with producers, writers, curators, and financiers in an environment that prioritizes creative synergy over commercial shortcuts.

From Labs to Lenses: Bridging Academia and the Creative Industry

JCM also opens space for sectors traditionally removed from mainstream entertainment—namely, academia and research institutions. Increasingly, scientific studies, historical archives, and policy research are being recognized as rich source material for storytelling. Documentaries, educational films, and even speculative fiction can all begin with credible, real-world data.

“Content rooted in research tends to have longer shelf-life and greater public trust,” noted Ajish Dibyo, Executive Director of JAFF Market. “We want JCM to become the place where science, history, and culture intersect with the creative industry.”

This aligns with the rise of the knowledge-to-content economy, a global trend where intellectual capital transitions from academic silos into the creative mainstream. JAFF Market is facilitating these transitions through curated pitching sessions, open presentations, and interdisciplinary development labs.

Building a Truly Cross-Sector Ecosystem

By embracing a wider scope of content and collaborators, JAFF Content Market is positioning itself as a regional hub for a new kind of creative economy—one that values depth, diversity, and long-term sustainability. It not only strengthens the film production pipeline, but nurtures a content ecosystem that extends from upstream (ideation, IP development and research) to downstream (distribution, licensing, and cross-border expansion).

“In the near future, we believe the strongest IP won’t come from a single format alone,” Linda added. “They will be born from synergy where books, music, games, and film intersect to shape a richer, more resilient creative economy.”

With JCM, JAFF Market is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and adaptive content landscape—a place where the screen, the page, the stage, and the lab converge to build stories that matter, not just for markets, but for culture itself.