Jakarta Film Week 2025
October 26, 2025.
The fifth and final day of Jakarta Film Week 2025 wrapped on Sunday night at CGV Grand Indonesia, closing a vibrant five-day celebration of cinema with the screening of Dopamin, the latest film from director Teddy Soeria Atmadja.
This year’s festival, themed “Reignite,” sparked conversations around cross-disciplinary storytelling, everyday narratives, and the evolving language of contemporary cinema.
Earlier in the day, screenings of notable works—including The Voice of Hind Rajab by Kaouther Ben Hania and the long-lost Indonesian classic Turang by Bachtiar Siagian—filled auditoriums with enthusiastic audiences.
These titles, alongside dozens of local and international films, highlighted the festival’s curatorial commitment to rediscovering archival works and platforming new voices.
Celebratory Closing Ceremony
Festival Director Rina Damayanti opened the closing ceremony with reflections on the festival’s growth.
“Through every screening and moment of sharing, we are reminded that cinema bridges distance, ignites empathy, and opens our hearts,” she said, emphasizing the role of Indonesian cinema in cultural evolution.
Jakarta’s Deputy Governor Rano Karno reiterated regional support for creative industries, thanking audiences and stakeholders while promising stronger ecosystem development ahead of Jakarta Film Week 2026.
Indonesia’s Minister of Culture Fadli Zon followed with remarks on cultural diplomacy:
“Jakarta Film Week is a window through which Indonesia speaks to the world.”
The ceremony drew local star power as well, with appearances by actors Angga Yunanda and Shenina Cinnamon, who greeted crowds on the red carpet.
Award Highlights
The jury announced winners across national and international competitions. Major recipients included:
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Global Feature Award: The Devil Smokes — Ernesto Martínez Bucio
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Direction Award (Indonesia): Crocodile Tears — Tumpal Tampubolon
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Global Short Award: A Very Straight Neck — Neo Sora
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Special Mention (Short Film): Workers’ Wings — Ilir Hasanaj
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Global Animation Award: And Granny Would Dance — Maryam Mohajer
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Jakarta Film Fund Award: Salon Gue Aje — Tahlia Motik
The newly introduced Nongshim Award further recognized outstanding Indonesian feature and short works, awarding Crocodile Tears and A Tale for My Daughter (Tutaha Subang) respectively.
In industry sectors, multiple development grants, camera support awards, and international market invitations were granted, with the project Pingpong notably securing three distinctions.
Closing Film: A Search for Joy
The screening of Dopamin offered a reflective finale. Producer Gobind Vashdev described the film as a response to increasing global pressures:
“I hope this reminds us that love remains the only medicine we need.”
The film received a warm and lengthy applause from the audience.
International Collaboration Announced
One of the evening’s biggest announcements confirmed that Indonesia will be the focus country for Next Step Studio 2026, a development program by La Semaine de la Critique – Cannes, in collaboration with KawanKawan Media and DW.
Producer Yulia Evina Bhara emphasized the strategic significance:
“This opens international pathways for young Indonesian filmmakers while strengthening cross-cultural collaboration rooted in local identity.”
About Jakarta Film Week
Launched in 2021, Jakarta Film Week is supported by the Jakarta provincial government to push both national and global film growth. The festival offers screenings, masterclasses, industry labs, community engagement, and granting programs—with hundreds of thousands of participants joining online and in person.
With new partnerships forming and fresh talent emerging, Jakarta Film Week continues to position itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most promising festival platforms.
For more information:
📎 jakartafilmweek.com
📱 @jakartafilmweek (Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook)
