From Canada, South Korea to Finland: Animated Films Lighting Up the Global Short Animation Competition

As a platform for film industry players, Jakarta Film Week 2024 provides an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their best works to the public. One of the programs attracting audience attention is the Global Short Animation Competition, held at Sjuman Djaya Theater, Taman Ismail Marzuki. This program allows viewers to enjoy short animated films from around the world exclusively.

The Global Short Animation Competition opens opportunities for international filmmakers in both narrative and documentary formats to compete in categories of direction, production quality, and artistic value. The program encourages filmmakers to address relevant and innovative issues, aiming to captivate audiences and expand their reach in the global film market.

This year, ten films were screened in the Global Short Animation Competition, including Nun or Never (Finland, 2023), Percebes (Portugal & France, 2024), It Shouldn’t Rain Tomorrow (Portugal & Germany, 2024), A Night at the Rest Area (Japan, 2024), Ignited (Indonesia, 2024), Daisy (Spain, 2023), The Car that Came Back from the Sea (Switzerland, 2023), Trumpet Voice (Chile, 2023), Circle (South Korea, 2024), and The Skytrain (Canada, 2024).

Audience enthusiasm was high, with nearly all seats at Sjuman Djaya Theater filled. Each short film succeeded in moving the audience emotionally. For instance, A Night at the Rest Area left viewers smiling with its simple yet visually engaging storyline. Meanwhile, Trumpet Voice moved some viewers to tears, inviting them to feel the emotions of a 50-year-old trumpet player who can only communicate through his music.

The films The Skytrain by Joe Chang and Circle by Yumi Joung also offered unique, symbolic experiences. The Skytrain features a human hand as the main character in a story about love, ethics, war, and the future, set within the confined space of a train. Circle tells of a young girl who draws a circle, which others enter and eventually disperse from as she erases it. Both films invite the audience to reflect on human relationships and find meaning in the messages subtly conveyed.

At the end of the session, the audience had the chance to engage in an in-depth discussion with Riri Riyanto, director of Ignited, Indonesia’s representative in the Global Short Animation Competition. Ignited was inspired by real forest fire issues in Indonesia. Riri expressed hope that the film could raise awareness among the government and public about forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, noting, “Many voices from local communities there remain unheard by the government and media.” He also plans to make a film focusing on the health impacts of forest fires in the future.

This year’s Global Short Animation Competition presented a diverse lineup of animated films that not only entertain but also open new perspectives for filmmakers and film enthusiasts, enriching their cinematic experiences.

For more information on the programs and events of Jakarta Film Week 2024, visit www.jakartafilmweek.com and follow us on social media @jakartafilmweek. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this international celebration of cinema in Jakarta this year!

Asia Khairunnisa Luthan | Nanda Hadiyanti