Programs under JFW NET – Jakarta Film Week’s Industry Program, Supporting the Sustainability of the Indonesian and Global Film Industry

Jakarta, 4 November 2024—After its successful run from October 23-27, 2024, Jakarta Film Week has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the sustainability of the Indonesian and global film industries. Through the JFW NET programs, the festival has designed some sustainable initiatives to facilitate collaboration and skill development for local filmmakers, hoping to promote the Indonesian film industry to the international stage.

Gayatri Nadya, Festival Manager of Jakarta Film Week, emphasized the importance of JFW NET as a hub for collaboration: “The JFW NET programs aim to drive and strengthen the circulation of the film industry while also serving as a hub for film practitioners, enabling them to expand the potential for national and international collaborations. We hope that the sustainability of each program will bring Indonesian filmmakers to the global stage through ongoing capacity development,” she explained. Gayatri also expressed her hopes for Jakarta Film Week and JFW NET in the coming years to become sharper, more sustainable, and beneficial to all parties involved in the film ecosystem.

Producers Lab and Pitching Forum

Producers Lab is one of the JFW NET initiatives with a mission to provide intensive training for young Indonesian producers. In this program, participants were guided by experienced international mentors, who assisted them in developing their projects both creatively and strategically. Three selected producers from the Producers Lab will have the opportunity to participate in Platform Busan at the 2025 Busan International Film Festival, while another producer received a Development Grant to support project development. The Producers Lab paves the way for local filmmakers to expand their international networks and hone their skills for the global market.

This year, three selected participants from the Producers Lab have been chosen to attend Platform Busan at the Busan International Film Festival 2025. They are:

• Push Rank – Producer: Andreas B. Sihombing
• To My Dearest, My Dear – Producer: Bela Nabila
• Resepsi Pertama Bapak – Producer: Wildan Aji Gumelar

The Development Grant was awarded to the project Father Figure, produced by Muhammad Athhar Amputra, who received funding support for the development of his project.

In addition to the Producers Lab, the Pitching Forum, presented by the Directorate of Film, Music, and Media of the Ministry of Culture and supported by the National Talent Management, also provided opportunities for young filmmakers. In this forum, five projects received support in the form of Development Grants and Talent Development Grants, assisting filmmakers in advancing their projects. The Pitching Forum serves as an important bridge for Indonesian film projects to develop in broader markets and expand the reach of national film distribution.

Here is the list of award-winning projects:

• Talent Development Grant:

• • • Maria – Filmmaker: Manuel Alberto Maia, Damar Ardi, Perlita Desiani
    • Happy Happy Family – Filmmaker: Andrew Kose, Evi Cecilia

• Development Grant:

• • The Heirlooms – Filmmaker: Devina Sofiyanti, Giovanni Rahmadeva
  • First Breath After Comma – Filmmaker: Jason Iskandar, Florence Giovani Chandra
  • Senior’s Spells – Filmmaker: Hilman Mutasi, Robby UI Pratama

Other Programs Under JFW NET to Support the Film Ecosystem:

In addition to the Producers Lab and Pitching Forum, JFW NET offers a range of programs designed to hone participants’ knowledge and skills, including Masterclasses, Talks, Business Forums, Festival Meetings, Producers Network, and other Networking Events.

The Masterclass program at Jakarta Film Week is one of the festival’s flagship events, offering in-depth learning on various aspects of film production, such as scriptwriting, directing, and editing. The Scriptwriting session was led by Kim Min Ha, director of Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary, who shared unique techniques in writing, using an analogy of characters meeting like Mentos and soda—resulting in explosive, captivating stories that grip audiences. The Directing session featured Sabrina Rochelle from Indonesia and Ho Miu Ki, director of Love Lies, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETO). The Editing session was led by Nick Cheuk, also the director of Time Still Turns The Pages and Kelvin Nugroho from the Indonesian Film Editors Association (INAFEd). This collaboration enriched participants’ perspectives with cinematic practices and theory from both global and local perspectives.

This year’s Talks included the ASEAN Regional Workshop on Creative Economy, a comprehensive discussion on the role of film commissions and festivals in supporting the creative industry in Southeast Asia. The first session, titled Film Commission: Strengthening the Ties Between the City and the Film Industry, featured representatives from the film commissions of Busan, Tokyo, Quezon City, and Yogyakarta. The second session, Film Festivals as Gateways: Maximizing Opportunities in Southeast Asia, explored key initiatives by various Asian film festivals that support the growth of local film industries. The panelists highlighted the importance of policies that protect film workers and emphasized the need to build a more self-reliant Asian film ecosystem, independent of Western markets. This discussion reinforced the commitment to strengthening Asia’s position in the global film landscape.

In addition to that, Producers Network at JFW serves as a vital platform to connect film producers, investors, and other key stakeholders. In collaboration with Adhya Pictures and the Indonesian Film Producers Association (APROFI), this event provided an exclusive space for guests to expand their professional networks. Through project discussions and presentations, young Indonesian filmmakers had the opportunity to introduce their projects to the international market. Adhya Pictures also presented some of their upcoming projects at this event, including Forza and Yakin Nikah, both scheduled to be released in 2025.

Another event, the Business Forum, was also featured at Jakarta Film Week. Organized in collaboration with the Directorate General of Film, Music, and Media (PMM) of the Ministry of Culture, the Business Forum created a collaborative space for film producers and business players to explore co-production opportunities within the national film industry. The forum discussed various co-production schemes, the dynamics of Indonesia’s film market, and strategies to enhance production quality through strategic partnerships. These opportunities aim to broaden the distribution reach of Indonesian films in the global market, which is increasingly in demand by filmmakers and international business partners looking to expand the penetration of Indonesian films.

Finally, the Festival Meeting was held as part of the JFW NET programs, focusing on international collaboration and knowledge-sharing among film festivals across the Southeast Asian region and beyond. In this program, representatives from various film festivals in Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, and Thailand gathered to exchange ideas, strategies, and experiences in developing and ensuring the sustainability of their festivals. 

During the Festival Meeting, a variety of crucial topics were discussed, starting with a presentation from Festival Director Rina Damayanti on the developments and achievements of Jakarta Film Week since 2021. She highlighted the increase in the number of audiences, international collaborations, and support for young filmmakers, which all have contributed to strengthening the festival’s position in the regional landscape. The discussion also covered the roles and challenges faced by governments, such as those in Indonesia and Thailand, in supporting the film industry amid policy changes that can impact the support for festivals. The importance of inter-festival collaboration was a focal point, with valuable lessons learned from Singapore and South Korea, which have established strong festival infrastructures as essential references for ensuring the sustainability of film festivals.

Talent development through programs like the Talent Hub and the plan to launch Film Market in Indonesia was also a key topic to create greater opportunities for young filmmakers to make their mark on the international stage. The concept of developing the Film Market and Talent Hub is expected to connect local talent with international producers, distributors, and investors, thereby attracting more collaborations for the future of the film industry.

Through the Festival Meeting, Jakarta Film Week aims to strengthen the film ecosystem in Southeast Asia by expanding inter-festival collaboration and enhancing support for the development of young filmmakers who are ready to compete on the international stage. This program reflects Jakarta Film Week’s commitment to becoming a hub that supports the sustainable growth of the film industry.

Hopes for Jakarta Film Week 2025: Innovation and Program Expansion

With the sustainability of JFW NET, Jakarta Film Week is optimistic that its programs will increasingly support Indonesian filmmakers in making their mark on the international stage. The hope is that next year’s event will introduce new innovations that are even more relevant to the development of the film industry in Indonesia, for instance by improving the quality of the programs, creating new collaborations, or increasing the number of international participants.

The festival has proven its commitment as a creative hub that brings together various elements of the film industry, both nationally and globally while providing ample collaborative space for young Indonesian filmmakers. Jakarta Film Week will continue to support the sustainable development of the film industry and elevate Indonesian cinema to the international stage.

For more information about Jakarta Film Week, visit www.jakartafilmweek.com and follow us on social media @jakartafilmweek. See you next year!

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