Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival Unveils Diverse Lineup, Featuring 'Silenced Nights' and 'You Are the Film'

A Confluence of Cinematic Artistry: JAFF's Vision for Connection and Discovery

Opening and Closing Highlights: A Grand Cinematic Journey

The 21st Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival, a prestigious event in the cinematic calendar, is poised to commence with the Filipino drama 'Silenced Nights,' directed by Lawrence Fajardo, and will draw to a close with the Japanese comedy-drama 'You Are the Film,' from the vision of Ueda Makoto. This carefully curated selection sets the stage for a week of cinematic exploration, showcasing the breadth and depth of storytelling across Asia.

Festival Scope and Global Reach: Bridging Cultures Through Film

From November 28 to December 5, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, will become a focal point for film enthusiasts as the festival unfolds. Under the evocative theme of 'Influx,' JAFF will present an impressive collection of 254 films, representing 34 nations. This extensive program, encompassing both competitive and non-competitive categories, is designed to offer audiences a panoramic view of contemporary Asian cinema.

Exploring the 'Influx' Theme: Cinema as a Lens for Understanding

Budi Irawanto, the esteemed president of JAFF, articulated the festival's guiding principle, stating, "In alignment with the 'Influx' theme, this year's JAFF aims to examine how shifting tides of change influence our lives and our capacity for mutual understanding. In a world marked by uncertainty and instability, cinema offers an invaluable opportunity to engage with diverse experiences and gain fresh insights into pressing global issues."

Main Competition: The Quest for Golden and Silver Hanoman Awards

A distinguished panel comprising Dita Gambiro, Riar Rizaldi, and Shan Zuolong will adjudicate the main competition, where ten feature films will vie for the coveted Golden and Silver Hanoman Awards. Notably, two of these contenders are directorial debuts from talented women filmmakers: Zou Jing's 'A Girl Unknown,' a recipient of the Fipresci Prize at Cannes' Critics' Week, and Priscilla Ang Geck Geck's 'Ah Girl,' which secured the Youth Jury Award at Rotterdam, with its lead actress also earning the Firebird Award at the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Other prominent films in this category include Sompot Chidgasornpongse’s '9 Temples to Heaven,' Jeremias Nyangoen’s 'Black Coffee,' Kawajiri Masanao’s 'Cherry and Virgin,' Aung Phyoe’s 'Fruit Gathering,' Lê Bảo’s 'Hearing,' Arvin Belarmino’s 'Ria,' and Mejbaur Rahman Sumon’s 'Roid.'

Celebrating Local Talent: The Indonesian Screen Awards

The festival proudly highlights local cinematic achievements through the Indonesian Screen Awards, which will see ten Indonesian films competing across ten distinct categories, ranging from best film and director to original music and poster design. This competitive segment includes acclaimed works such as Eddie Cahyono's 'Ibuku,' which was honored with the Busan Award Special Jury Prize at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, and Ravi Bharwani’s 'Secrets,' scheduled for its world premiere in Yogyakarta. Also contending for accolades are Ferdinand Almi’s 'Shattered Vows,' Ariani Darmawan’s 'Jani Be Good,' and Andrew Kose’s 'Mate’s Rate.' The jury for this section comprises Sharifah Amani, Tanigaki Kenji, and Yoon Ga-eun.

Nurturing New Voices: Light of Asia and Netpac Awards

The 'Light of Asia' section shines a spotlight on short films, with 21 titles competing for the Blencong Awards. Concurrently, the Netpac Awards specifically recognize debut and sophomore feature films, encouraging emerging talents in the industry. Furthermore, audience participation is enhanced through the introduction of the Amar Bank Audience Choice Award, allowing viewers to cast their vote for a favorite from the 'Light of Asia' selection.

Recognizing Contributions: The Inaugural JAFF Awards

This year marks the debut of the JAFF Awards, established to honor individuals, communities, and institutions that significantly contribute to the vitality of Asian cinema. These awards acknowledge efforts across various facets of filmmaking, including production, financing, archiving, exhibition, and knowledge dissemination. Festival director Ifa Isfansyah emphasized the communal spirit of JAFF, stating, "JAFF emerged from a strong community ethos, and over two decades, we've witnessed how a single interaction can pave the way for a film or a filmmaker's journey. The JAFF Awards are rooted in this very conviction: that Asian cinema thrives through the collective endeavors of numerous interconnected individuals." Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas (GIK) UGM proudly serves as the venue partner for these awards.

Beyond Competition: Panorama and Asian Perspectives

Beyond the competitive arena, the Panorama section will feature a collection of 12 feature films and five shorts from renowned Asian directors. This includes Hamaguchi Ryusuke’s 'All of a Sudden,' Lav Diaz’s 'Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors,' Hur Jin-ho’s 'The Assassin(s),' Yoon Dan-bi’s 'The World Before,' Edmund Yeo’s 'The Age of Goodbyes,' and John Torres’ 'The Remotes.' The Asian Perspectives section will broaden the scope further, offering 26 features and 28 shorts, while the Indonesian Film Showcase will present five local features.

A Look Back and Forward: The Rewind Strand and Program Philosophy

The 'Rewind' strand, comprising 15 titles, offers a nostalgic revisit to three Studio Ghibli masterpieces by Miyazaki Hayao: 'Spirited Away,' 'My Neighbor Totoro,' and 'Howl’s Moving Castle.' This section also includes Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s 'Cure,' Yeon Sang-ho’s 'Train to Busan,' and Yasmin Ahmad’s 'Mukhsin,' alongside a pair of Indonesian teen romances from the 2000s: Nasri Cheppy’s 'Eiffel…I’m in Love' (2003) and Hanny R. Saputra’s 'Heart' (2006). Program director Alexander Matius commented on the festival's curatorial approach, stating, "Asian cinema continues its evolution through fresh voices, a readiness to experiment with cinematic forms, and narratives that resonate deeply with human experiences. This year’s program was crafted to present this diversity to audiences, sparking new conversations through both familiar and novel cinematic works."

Engaging Experiences: Cinematic Concert and Sponsor Collaborations

Returning for its fifth installment, the Cinematic Concert will feature a live performance by Grrrl Gang, synchronized with scenes from five short films showcased at the festival. Strategic partnerships with sponsors enhance various festival strands. Amar Bank sponsors 'Undercurrent,' a special screening program presenting Rafael Manuel’s 'Filipiñana' and Kimura Taichi’s 'Fujiko,' the latter having won Udine’s Golden Mulberry Award and the New York Asian Film Festival’s Uncaged Award for best feature. Cinema XXI continues its role as the primary venue partner at Empire XXI Yogyakarta, extending its support to JAFF Kids and the festival’s Inclusive Screening initiative.

Industry Development and International Partnerships: JAFF Market and Collaborations

The TikTok Film Circle will facilitate a unique collaboration, pairing TikTok creators from Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam with professional film critics for a specialized film analysis workshop. The Asian Film Awards Academy is co-presenting five Hong Kong titles as part of the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation, further enriching the festival's international scope. On the industry front, the JAFF Market will operate from November 28–30 at the Jogja Expo Center, offering six distinct programs: JAFF Future Project, JAFF IP Connection, Talent Day, the Film & Market Conference, Market Screening, and Film Lab. JAFF21 receives vital support from Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture through its Dana Indonesia Raya program. Tickets for the festival will be available for purchase via TipTip starting November 21.