From Process to Co-production: Inside Day Two of Jakarta Film Week 2025
The second day of Jakarta Film Week 2025 captured the complete journey of filmmaking, from ideas born in small rooms to stories that find their way onto the screen and into audiences’ hearts. From short to feature-length films, from pre- to post-production, each program showcased how Indonesian cinema is shaped by collective effort and cross-border collaboration.
From the creative process side, the Masterclass: Film Scoring & Original Song, Creating Music, Amplifying Feelings at FFTV IKJ became a space to explore the dialogue between music and imagery. Led by Hong Kong-based composer Day Tai, participants were invited to see that music is not merely an accessory to film scenes, but a language that translates unspoken emotions. As Day Tai put it, “Music is not just a background, but a narrative force that strengthens the nuances and psychology of the characters.” Later in the day, Melly Goeslaw, Anto Hoed, and Belanegara Abe continued the discussion, examining how scoring and original songs build a film’s emotional world and open new opportunities for collaboration between musicians and filmmakers.
Within the industry program, Talks: 101 Indonesian Film Censorship at Harris FX Sudirman prompted participants to rethink the relationship between creative expression and public policy. Panelists Dr. Evan Ismail, Tri Widyastuti Setyaningsih, Ginanti Rona, and Linda Gozali emphasized the importance of policy literacy and collective responsibility to ensure that cinema remains a healthy and open space for expression.
Meanwhile, at Mercure Jakarta Cikini, Industry Talks: “The Co in the International Co-Production” offered insights into the importance of building cross-border networks to strengthen film production and distribution in Asia. Speakers Lorna Tee, Daniel Mattes, and Ellen Y.D. Kim, moderated by Yulia Evina Bhara, underlined that international collaboration is not only about funding or market access, but about building trust and a shared storytelling vision. As Ellen Y.D. Kim shared, “In many international collaborations, it’s crucial to truly understand your partner’s culture and working style, that’s what shapes the unique creative flow of a joint project.”
The session was part of JFWNET–Industry Program, a capacity-building initiative that helps film professionals expand collaborations, deepen cross-cultural understanding, and establish long-term relationships within the regional industry.
Shifting from discussions to screenings, at CGV Grand Indonesia, two feature films nominated for the Direction Award, Planet of Love by Ika Wulandari and Crocodile Tears by Tumpal Tampubolon, were screened alongside conversations with their creators. The discussions highlighted how the directors’ visions and their creative teams’ approaches play vital roles in presenting bold, honest stories about relationships, loss, and courage in facing today’s social realities.
Meanwhile, three short films from the Jakarta Film Fund, Amelia, Amelia (Daphne), Cream Bath Aftermath (Tahlia Motik), and Farewell (Fritz Widjaja) — demonstrated how Indonesia’s film ecosystem continues to grow through the fearless storytelling of emerging voices.
The second day of Jakarta Film Week 2025 unfolded like a journey weaving together many voices, from sound that evokes emotion to visions realized on screen and collaborations that transcend borders. From learning spaces to theaters, from idea development to international distribution, today’s programs reflected the vibrant pulse of Indonesia’s film ecosystem, a place where creators grow, connect, and continue to enrich the language of cinema together.
Jakarta Film Week 2025 runs from October 22–26, 2025, across multiple venues: CGV Grand Indonesia, CGV FX Sudirman, Hotel Mercure Cikini, FFTV IKJ, and Taman Ismail Marzuki. Through JFWNET–Industry Program, the festival presents industry forums, masterclasses, and educational programs designed to enhance the capacities of Indonesian film professionals across disciplines and foster regional collaboration.