Learning Film Pitching from Jakarta Film Fund Alumni: A First Step into the Film Industry

Jakarta, September 17, 2025 — How does a film idea make it through the selection process of a production funding program and eventually reach the screen? This question became the central theme of Road to Jakarta Film Week x Faculty of Film and Television, Jakarta Institute of the Arts (FFTV IKJ), titled “From Idea to Screen: How to Pitch Your Story through a Film Funding Program,” successfully held at Gedung Sjumandjaja, Jakarta Institute of the Arts (IKJ).

The event, held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, featured two speakers — Evi Cecilia (producer of Ringroad) and Novi Hanabi (Program Manager of Jakarta Film Week) — and was moderated by Andro Putranto (Film Programmer of Jakarta Film Week).

Road to Jakarta Film Week is a series of pre-festival activities aimed at building enthusiasm, expanding program outreach, and providing a learning platform for the film ecosystem. The series includes discussions and film screenings held at various locations leading up to the main festival.

Collaboration with film schools such as FFTV IKJ plays a key role in connecting young filmmakers with industry professionals and festival organizers. This allows emerging filmmakers to better prepare for opportunities offered by Jakarta Film Week 2025.

Before the discussion began, participants were invited to watch several short films, including Samu the Terrible and His Sin (2024), Ringroad (2021), How an Apocalypse Ends (2025), and Followers (2024). These screenings provided real examples of how films born from funding competitions can develop and reach audiences.

During the sharing session, Evi Cecilia recounted the journey of Ringroad (2021) — from its initial idea and pitching process at the Jakarta Film Fund (JFF) 2021, to production under tight deadlines.

“A pitch deck isn’t just about technical data; it’s about how we convey the soul of the story in a concise and captivating form,” said Evi.

She also emphasized the importance of building trust with the director and production team to bring a unified vision to life.

Meanwhile, Novi Hanabi explained JFF’s role as an incubation platform for emerging talents.

“By joining JFF, opportunities open up to enter the film industry. Don’t see other participants as competitors—they could become your future collaborators. From here, your career path can begin to unfold,” said Novi.

She added that a strong proposal doesn’t have to be complicated.

“An idea can be simple, but if it has a clear direction, it will stand out among hundreds of submissions.”

Novi also emphasized that the benefits of joining JFF go beyond production funding — participants gain access to festival networks, mentors, and broader distribution opportunities.

The discussion flowed warmly, with participants asking about pitching strategies, how to face juries during short presentations, and distribution options after film production. With a limited capacity of 50 participants, the event felt intimate, providing space for close interaction between the speakers and the audience.

Road to Jakarta Film Week x FFTV IKJ successfully offered new insights for young filmmakers on the importance of pitching strategies and utilizing film funding programs. The session clearly illustrated that the journey from idea to screen is not an instant process — it requires preparation, collaboration, and the courage to embrace new opportunities.

This event is part of Road to Jakarta Film Week 2025, leading up to the main festival, Jakarta Film Week 2025, which will take place on October 22–26, 2025, in Jakarta. The festival will feature a range of exciting programs including the Jakarta Film Fund, Masterclass, Producers Lab, Talks, and the Jakarta Film Week Awards Night — all designed to provide opportunities for filmmakers and industry professionals to share ideas, learn from experts, and explore wider collaborations.

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 the chance to be part of this year’s international celebration of cinema in Jakarta!

Arga Arifwangsa | Asia Khairunnisa Luthan