Jakarta Film Week 2025 Marks Its Opening with The Fox King

Jakarta Film Week 2025 officially opened tonight, Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The fifth edition of the festival kicked off with the screening of The Fox King (2025), directed by Malaysian filmmaker Woo Ming Jin, starring Dian Sastrowardoyo and co-produced by Yulia Evina Bhara. A Malaysia–Indonesia co-production, the film premiered earlier at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and stands as a symbol of cross-country collaboration that embodies this year’s theme: REIGNITE.

The opening night was a vibrant celebration, featuring an opening address and festival report from Rina Damayanti, Festival Director of Jakarta Film Week 2025. The event was attended by Rano Karno, Deputy Governor of Jakarta; Ahmad Mahendra, Director General of Cultural Development, Utilization, and Guidance, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia; as well as filmmakers, producers, and festival representatives from various countries. Also in attendance were directors, producers, and actors from this year’s festival selections.

In her remarks, Rina Damayanti stated, “Opening night is not just the start of a festival, it’s a reflection of where our cinema is heading. The Fox King was chosen not only for its international recognition, but because it represents the spirit of cross-border collaboration that has become the heartbeat of Southeast Asia’s film ecosystem. In a constantly evolving industry, we need spaces like Jakarta Film Week to rekindle conversations between audiences, filmmakers, and the city itself as a living space for cinema.”

Jakarta Film Week 2025 runs from October 22–26, 2025, showcasing 134 films from 25 countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas in categories including Global Feature, Global Short, Global Animation, Direction Award, and Jakarta Film Fund—featuring three new short films by emerging Jakarta-based directors. Thematic programs such as Emergency Broadcast, Herstory, Fantasea, and Classique further explore the diverse voices and aesthetics of contemporary cinema.

For Jakarta Film Week, realizing the vision of Jakarta as the City of Cinema extends beyond the screen—it lives through its creative ecosystem. That’s why Jakarta Film Week NET – Industry Program serves as the heart of the festival, where young talents meet, learn, and foster collaborations that drive Indonesia’s film industry forward. The program includes Producers Lab, Pitching Forum, Masterclass, Industry Talks, and Talents Hub—a platform connecting emerging filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals from Indonesia and abroad. Through this forum, Jakarta Film Week encourages cross-border collaboration, network expansion, and the development of new creative projects.

In his address, Rano Karno, Deputy Governor of Jakarta, reaffirmed the Provincial Government’s commitment to the vision of Jakarta as the City of Cinema: “Jakarta as the City of Cinema is not just a slogan—it’s a direction for the city’s cultural development. Through festivals like Jakarta Film Week, we expand creative spaces, connect talents, and affirm that cinema is an essential part of city life—alive, dynamic, and growing alongside its people.”

Throughout the festival, audiences can enjoy film screenings across several venues, including CGV Grand Indonesia, CGV FX Sudirman, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Hotel Mercure Cikini, and Galeri Indonesia Kaya. For those unable to attend in person, selected films from Jakarta Film Week 2025 will also be available online via VIDIO.

All film screenings are free of charge, with on-the-spot ticket claims available while supplies last. Don’t miss the chance to experience a diverse range of films and celebrate cinema together at Jakarta Film Week 2025. Complete information about the screening schedule, industry programs, and supporting events is available at www.jakartafilmweek.com and on social media @jakartafilmweek.

Jakarta Film Week 2025 invites everyone to reignite the spirit of creativity and together realize the vision of Jakarta as the City of Cinema, a city that grows through the courage to tell stories and the passion to keep creating.