Jakarta Film Week 2024 was officially opened on October 23, 2024 with great excitement at CGV Grand Indonesia, Jakarta. Now in its fourth year, the festival continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s film ecosystem and bringing local
films to the international stage.
The commitment of the Jakarta Provincial Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Disparekraf) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) in supporting the film industry
The Jakarta Provincial Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Disparekraf) continues to support Jakarta Film Week as a way to encourage the growth of the national film industry. This
festival also strengthens the film ecosystem and helps Indonesian films gain broader recognition on an international scale.
In line with this, Nuzul Kristanto, Head of the Film Appreciation and Literacy Task Force at the Directorate of Film, Music, and Media (PMM) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), expressed the government’s full support for the festival. “The film industry is a key pillar of Indonesia’s creative economy. Through this festival, we can continue to grow and promote Indonesian films internationally while fostering global collaborations that benefit local filmmakers,” he said.
Opening Film: Sampai Jumpa, Selamat Tinggal (Goodbye, Farewell)
The opening night was enlivened by the premiere of Sampai Jumpa, Selamat Tinggal (Goodbye, Farewell), a collaborative production between Adhya Pictures and Relate Films. Directed by Adriyanto Dewo, the film tells an emotional journey of loss, hope, and love in a heartwarming story. Adriyanto Dewo stated, “Goodbye, Farewell is a very personal work for me, and I am proud to be part of the opening of this year’s Jakarta Film Week. I hope this film resonates with the audience, in line with the Resonance theme embraced by Jakarta Film Week.”
Festival Guest: The presence of Ambassadors from 2021-2024
The opening night was also attended by the festival ambassadors from previous editions, including Shenina Cinnamon (2021), Jourdy Pranata (2022), Lutesha (2023), and Kristo Immanuel, who is this year’s festival ambassador. Kristo expressed his pride in the opportunity, stating, “I am very honored to be part of Jakarta Film Week 2024. This festival is not just a place to watch films; it is also a space for discussion, sharing inspiration, and bringing Indonesian cinema to the international stage. In addition, I hope this film festival is not only enjoyed by those in the film industry but also by everyone interested in film.”
Film Program: 10 Selected Films at Jakarta Film Week 2024
This year’s Jakarta Film Week features a diverse selection of high-quality films, showcasing 140 films from 55 countries that highlight cultural diversity, themes, and cinematic perspectives. One of the highly anticipated films is I Saw the TV Glow, directed by Jane Schoenbrun, a psychological thriller that explores the illusion of reality. Another intriguing film is Exhuma, directed by Jang Jae-hyun, which delves into mysteries related to past history, offering an unusual appeal.
Meanwhile, In the Belly of a Tiger, directed by Jatla Siddartha, presents a narrative of farmers looking for work in the city but failing. They return to the village which is in turmoil due to the death of a local farmer caused by a tiger. In addition, Adam Elliot’s short animated film Memoir of a Snail brings the audience into the story from a unique perspective.
Don’t Cry, Butterfly, directed by Dương Diệu Linh will be the closing film of this year’s Jakarta Film Week. Another film, Under the Moonlight, by Tonny Trimarsanto provides a documentary perspective on transgender life in an Islamic school in Yogyakarta.
The New Year That Never Came, directed by Bogdan Mureșanu, will take the audience on a journey of struggle, while Lee Yoon Seok’s You Will Die In 6 Hours is a suspenseful film about time and approaching death.
BW Purbanegara’s Shallot Salad presents the story of a depressed policeman observing and reflecting on a tragedy in Indonesia that has killed 135 people. Finally, The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent, by Nebojša Slijepčević, is an inspiring film that explores the struggles of individuals in fighting for their voices in a world of oppression. Other films are also equally captivating and can be watched during the festival.
JFW NET Program: Pitching Forum and Business Forum
This year, JFW NET introduced two exciting new programs: the Pitching Forum and the Business Forum. The Pitching Forum provides an opportunity for local filmmakers to present their film projects in front of international producers and investors, opening doors for funding support and international collaboration. The Business Forum, on the other hand, serves as a platform for industry professionals to discuss the dynamics of the film business, global distribution, and mutually beneficial co-production opportunities.
According to Rina Damayanti, the Festival Director of Jakarta Film Week, “The presence of JFW NET reinforces our commitment to building a more sustainable film industry ecosystem. With the Pitching Forum and Business Forum, we are opening doors for Indonesian filmmakers to connect with the international community and expand their networks.”
In addition to these two programs, JFW NET is also hosting other programs such as Masterclass, which presents experts to provide in-depth training on various aspects of filmmaking, Producers Lab which aims to strengthen participants’ skills in production planning, funding management, and project presentation strategies, and also Talk, an open-for-public discussion program that aims to address policies, issues, and challenges in the Indonesian film industry. There is also a Networking Event designed to bring together film industry professionals from around the world, and finally, the Festival Meeting, a program that aims to deepen understanding of the ever-evolving dynamics within the film festival landscape in Southeast Asia.
Stronger Collaborations Year by Year
Since its first edition in 2021, Jakarta Film Week has established numerous collaborations with national and international partners. This year, the festival is supported by the Director General of Film, Music and Media of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, National Talent Management (MTN) for Cultural Arts, Indonesian Film Editors Association (INAFEd), Asian Film Awards Academy, Platform Busan, and several other collaborators that enrich the event.
Jakarta Film Week 2024 will run until October 27, 2024, showcasing high-quality films from around the world, along with a series of industry programs designed to strengthen Indonesia’s position on the global film map.
For more information on Jakarta Film Week 2024 programs and events, visit www.jakartafilmweek.com and follow us on social media @jakartafilmweek. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this year’s celebration of international cinema in Jakarta!
