Jaff 21 to Screen 254 Films From 34 Countries in Yogyakarta
The festival opens with a Filipino drama and closes with a Japanese comedy, featuring new industry awards and a retrospective of Studio Ghibli classics.
By Leila Reynolds ·
The 21st Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival will screen 254 films from 34 countries during its run from November 28 to December 5 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The event operates under the theme Influx and includes both competitive and non-competitive sections.
Lawrence Fajardo’s Filipino drama Silenced Nights will open the festival, marking its Indonesian premiere. Ueda Makoto’s Japanese comedy-drama You Are the Film will close the program. You Are the Film previously won the White Raven Award at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival.
Ten feature films compete for the Golden and Silver Hanoman Awards. The jury includes Dita Gambiro, Riar Rizaldi, and Shan Zuolong. Two of the contenders are first features from women filmmakers. China’s A Girl Unknown, directed by Zou Jing, won the Fipresci Prize in Cannes’ Critics’ Week. Singapore’s Ah Girl, from Priscilla Ang Geck Geck, took the Youth Jury Award at Rotterdam. Its lead actress won the Firebird Award for best actress at the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
Other entries in the main competition include Sompot Chidgasornpongse’s 9 Temples to Heaven, Jeremias Nyangoen’s Black Coffee, and Kawajiri Masanao’s Cherry and Virgin. The lineup also features Aung Phyoe’s Fruit Gathering, Lê Bảo’s Hearing, Arvin Belarmino’s Ria, and Mejbaur Rahman Sumon’s Roid.
Ten Indonesian films compete in the local Indonesian Screen Awards across categories including best film, director, original music, and poster design. Eddie Cahyono’s Ibuku claimed the Busan Award Special Jury Prize at the 31st Busan International Film Festival. Ravi Bharwani’s Secrets will have its world premiere in Yogyakarta. The local jury consists of Sharifah Amani, Tanigaki Kenji, and Yoon Ga-eun.
Short films are the focus of the Light of Asia section, where 21 titles compete for the Blencong Awards. A new Amar Bank Audience Choice Award allows viewers to vote for a favorite from this selection. The festival also introduces the JAFF Awards to recognize individuals and institutions that support Asian cinema through production, financing, archiving, and exhibition. Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas UGM serves as the venue partner for these awards.
The Panorama section screens 12 features and five shorts, including works by Hamaguchi Ryusuke, Lav Diaz, and Hur Jin-ho. The Rewind strand revisits three Studio Ghibli classics: Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle. It also includes Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s Cure and Yeon Sang-ho’s Train to Busan. The Cinematic Concert features live performances by Grrrl Gang against scenes from five shorts.
JAFF Market runs from November 28 to 30 at the Jogja Expo Center. It includes six programs such as JAFF Future Project and Talent Day. The festival is backed by Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture through the Dana Indonesia Raya program. Tickets go on sale via TipTip on November 21.
