Victoria Gunawan is an Indonesian writer, director, and producer whose voice is rapidly shaping the landscape of contemporary international cinema. Born in Jakarta and currently based in Los Angeles and Atlanta, Gunawan is devoted to exploring the human experience through film—positioning her as one of Indonesia’s most compelling emerging talents.
Her short film Icing on Her Cake exemplifies her range as a storyteller. As the film’s co-writer, director, and co-producer, Gunawan led the project to multiple prestigious selections, including the LA Shorts International Film Festival—an Academy Award, BAFTA, Canadian Screen Awards, and Goya Awards qualifying event. As the longest-running short film festival in Los Angeles, LA Shorts draws more than 10,000 attendees annually, including key Hollywood professionals, and features a jury composed of Oscar-winning filmmakers and respected industry figures.
The film also received acclaim from a number of community-focused festivals, including the DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon, the Los Angeles Indonesian Film Festival, the Jakarta Independent Film Festival—where it was nominated for Best International Short—and the Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival. These festivals are known for championing authentic Asian Pacific American narratives and strengthening ties between Indonesian and Hollywood creatives, reinforcing Gunawan’s resonance within both spaces.
Gunawan’s storytelling extends into animation with Songs of the Silk Road, a film she wrote, directed, and produced. The project reached a significant milestone when it secured a television distribution deal with Life Channel, part of MNC Vision, Indonesia’s largest pay-TV network. This success demonstrated not only the film’s cultural reach but also Gunawan’s ability to connect diverse spiritual and international audiences.
Her latest short, The Next Thing I Know, I’m Dead, further solidifies her voice as a filmmaker. Written, directed, and produced by Gunawan, the film was officially selected by the Atlanta Film Festival—one of the oldest and most respected Academy Award-qualifying festivals in the U.S. Known for its high-caliber programming and audience of over 28,000 industry professionals and cinephiles, Atlanta’s recognition of the film places Gunawan among the forefront of bold, independent storytellers.
In addition to her film work, Gunawan has contributed to television as part of the story development research team for ChefATL, a docu-series that spotlights Atlanta’s dynamic food scene. The series landed distribution through WABE—Atlanta’s NPR and PBS affiliate—and is set to reach a broad national audience through PBS Passport and streaming platforms. Its exclusive premiere at SCAD TVfest, attended by award-winning figures from the industry, highlights Gunawan’s collaborative strengths and growing presence in broadcast storytelling.
Through every project, Victoria Gunawan brings Indonesian narratives into global conversation—amplifying underrepresented voices and inspiring a new wave of cultural exchange through cinema. Her body of work is a testament to vision, resilience, and the enduring power of film to bridge borders.
