Jakarta World Cinema (JWC) 2024 concluded its vibrant 8-day celebration of global cinema today, marking a triumphant closing with the screening of Bird, the latest film by acclaimed British director Andrea Arnold.
From September 21st to 28th, the international film festival captivated no less than 11,100 attendees through its offline screening in CGV Grand Indonesia theatre, and 31,400 viewers through online streaming on KlikFilm. With a total of 42,500 attendees, this year’s offline screenings nearly tripled the attendance from last year.
Jakarta World Cinema presented 120 films from 61 countries, screened across various genres and styles, representing voices from around the world. This year’s festival featured a diverse selection of renowned titles, including Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez, Jia Zhang-ke’s Caught by the Tides, Gints Zilbalodis’ Flow, Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing, Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light, Muhammad Rasoulof’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Hong Sang-soo’s A Traveler’s Needs, and Miguel Gomes’ Grand Tour, all of which received enthusiastic responses from audiences.
The Audience Award for Jakarta World Cinema 2024 was presented to Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, a powerful feature that blows the festival crowd’s mind.
First Feature Competition
For the first time in its history, Jakarta World Cinema introduced a First Feature Competition, showcasing emerging filmmakers from across the globe. The Best Director award in the First Feature Competition was given to Jianjie Lin for his strikingly visual and masterfully crafted debut, Brief History of a Family. The jury, comprising Lola Amaria, Yosep Anggi Noen, and Makbul Mubarak, noted: “This film assembles its visual language by framing its characters as if they are biological specimens that are being seen from a microscopic lens, which allows the viewers to see even the most imperceptible gestures which we might miss if the visual language is assembled otherwise. Although the film uses such a microscopic approach in its visual language, the director is also able to keep us aware that this film, no matter how microscopic, is actually a critique about something immensely colossal.”
Meanwhile, the Best Film award in the First Feature Competition went to the bold and provocative feature Girls Will Be Girls. The jury noted: “This film treads in the familiar sea of genre tropes, even taking the risk of being cliché and archaic, but then brings everything into a whole new level. It’s fresh, it’s unpredictable, while never a single moment does it lose its candor and simplicity. The relationship between the characters is both mysterious and touching. It is hard to pinpoint a single element that makes this film stand out, because every element has been brought together so exquisitely to assemble a film worthy of the main award.“
Reflecting on the festival’s success, Frederica, Executive Director of Jakarta World Cinema, expressed her gratitude to all involved: “This year’s Jakarta World Cinema has been a true celebration of storytelling. We are honored to have hosted filmmakers from around the world, and we hope this festival continues to foster creativity, dialogue, and collaboration. The immense support and enthusiasm from our audiences have truly
made this edition remarkable.”
Festival Director Shandy Gasella emphasized the role of the festival as a platform for discovery: “It’s been a phenomenal experience witnessing the excitement from both filmmakers and audiences. The diversity of films and voices that were showcased this year highlights the growing role of Jakarta World Cinema as a space where global cinema can thrive. We look forward to expanding this tradition in the years to come.”
Daniel Irawan, Programming Director, commented on the unique selection of films: “Our programming this year was crafted to reflect the richness of cinema from all corners of the globe. From experimental to award-winning features, the quality and diversity of films have been
outstanding. We are thrilled with the positive reception and the opportunity to bring these stories to Jakarta.”
Jakarta World Cinema 2024 once again solidified its reputation as a significant event in the international film circuit, providing a platform for filmmakers and film lovers to celebrate the magic of cinema. As the festival continues to grow, it remains committed to bringing the best of world
cinema to Indonesian audiences and beyond.
