Digging for Ideas and Pitching Tips from a Producer’s Perspective “Piknik Bersama Maut”
Jakarta Film Week is currently holding the Road to Jakarta Film Week 2025, a series of pre-festival events designed to introduce the festival to the public, build audience enthusiasm, and strengthen connections with film industry stakeholders through film screenings and discussions.
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, Road to Jakarta Film Week 2025 held a discussion titled “From Idea to Screen: How to Pitch Your Story through a Film Funding Program” in collaboration with the MIP Awards, featuring Niken Prawiranauli as a speaker. Niken is one of the 2024 Jakarta Film Fund (JFF) participants who earned the opportunity to produce her film Piknik Bersama Maut (translated as “Picnic with Death”)
This discussion served as a platform for film students and the general public interested in developing their work to gain insights from a producer’s perspective—on how creative ideas can evolve into films that reach wide audiences.
The collaboration with the MIP Awards aims to bring students closer to the international film festival ecosystem. During the session, Niken shared her experience of developing an idea, preparing a pitching proposal, and turning it into a finished film. She explained how she first discovered her story concept, structured it into a proposal for film funding programs, and navigated the film’s production process.
Niken also shared valuable lessons learned throughout the incubation process of JFF 2024—a program that not only provides financial support but also offers creative mentorship from seasoned professionals.
“Nara, as the director, and I prepared this pitch seriously, with help from friends and colleagues who already had experience. We asked them for feedback and for the kinds of questions that usually come up during pitching. That process really helped us get ready for anything that could happen,” said Niken.
Over the years, JFF has produced a range of films that enrich the diversity of Indonesian cinema. Interestingly, this year’s edition has expanded its competition to include animated films for the first time—offering valuable opportunities for Indonesia’s animation industry to showcase its potential on an international stage. This also reflects JFF’s commitment to strengthening and broadening creative opportunities for the next generation of Indonesian filmmakers.
Jakarta Film Week continues to nurture the potential of Indonesia’s film industry by providing young talents with platforms that expand their exposure to global audiences. The festival not only opens space for emerging filmmakers to present their best work but also fosters cross-border collaboration and strengthens Indonesia’s position in the global film landscape.
For more information about Jakarta Film Week 2024 programs and events, visit www.jakartafilmweek.com and follow us on social media at @jakartafilmweek. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this year’s celebration of international cinema in Jakarta!
Arga Arifwangsa | Asia Khairunnisa Luthan