As a seasoned film enthusiast with a penchant for uncovering hidden gems, I find the vibrant and dynamic film industry of Indonesia to be nothing short of exhilarating. The recent JAFF Festival and Market has captured my attention with its unique blend of artistic expression, skill development, and industry collaboration.
The 19th installment of Indonesia’s Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) marked its most triumphant run, while the first-ever JAFF Market made a promising start. EbMaster was on hand to cover both events.
It’s worth noting that Indonesian films are increasingly being recognized and awarded at prominent global film festivals. The domestic market in Indonesia, which boasts the fourth largest population worldwide with over 283 million people, is rapidly growing, with homegrown productions making a substantial impact. Furthermore, Indonesia is strengthening its cultural policies by providing an annual $13 million grant for international co-productions.
Here are some key takeaways from the festival and market:
An energetic and buzzing festival and market
As a film enthusiast, I was swept up by the palpable energy and vibrancy that permeated throughout the festival and market. Despite the simultaneous occurrence of the 25th Singapore’s Asia TV Forum and Market, as well as the 35th Singapore International Film Festival, the JAFF Market managed to captivate a global audience. With 6,723 attendees hailing from 18 territories, including heavyweights from Indonesia’s film industry, it showcased an undeniable international allure.
At the event, all major Indonesian film production companies participated, such as MD Entertainment, Visinema (who showcased previews of their upcoming 3D animation “Jumbo”), and Magma Entertainment (who revealed their lineup of genres).
Lavesh M. Samtani from Mandela Pictures, the producer of the JAFF closing night film ‘A Brother and 7 Siblings’, shared that he felt a tremendous creative spirit during the festival. The atmosphere is electric, almost overwhelmingly so. It’s truly delightful and stunning,” Lavesh told EbMaster.
Samtani linked the lively energy to the presence of a vibrant youth, mostly in their twenties. “With numerous universities around, it’s exciting to see students graduating as filmmakers and then bringing their peers here to watch the films,” Samtani explained.
The feeling of contentment is also fueled by the fact that the Indonesian film industry is thriving currently, as indicated by the Association of Indonesian Film Producers (APROFI) chairman Edwin Nazir. He stated that tickets sold have reached 74 million in early December, and it’s projected that this number could reach 80 million by year-end.
Ruben Hattari, Netflix’s Southeast Asia public policy director, shared with EbMaster that the atmosphere feels incredibly vibrant and authentic. He believes it’s evident that this place remains grounded in its roots. Additionally, he mentioned that there seems to be a sense of excitement in Indonesia because the film industry is experiencing a boom. Consequently, there’s an overwhelming optimism among everyone here, as they eagerly anticipate the future.
Upping the international co-production stakes
Indonesia has been actively involved in collaborative film productions across multiple countries. Notable examples are “Autobiography,” which won at Venice, “Tiger Stripes” from Cannes, and “Crocodile Tears,” which screened at Toronto, Busan, and London. To bolster international co-productions further, the JAFF Market has taken additional measures. This includes signing an audiovisual co-production agreement with the Netherlands, establishing an Indonesia-France Film Lab to enhance our shared ecosystem, strengthening collaboration between the Producers Guild of Korea and the Association of Indonesian Film Producers, particularly in the horror genre, and featuring two Australian co-productions at the JAFF Future Project platform.
Barbera Wolfensberger, head of Culture and Media at the Netherlands’ Education, Culture, and Science Ministry, commented during the treaty ceremony that this agreement will “provide opportunities for filmmakers from Indonesia and the Netherlands to team up on innovative and captivating productions, allowing them to share their skills and insights, and create stories that speak across borders and strike a chord with audiences worldwide.
At the event, Indonesian Deputy Minister of Culture, Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, shared his hope that “the creations of Indonesian filmmakers will receive greater international acclaim.” This desire was echoed by Indonesia’s partners from Korea, France, and Australia as well.
Collaborating with talented individuals from Indonesia enables us to combine our cultural backgrounds and produce stories that strongly connect with viewers from both Australia and Indonesia,” remarked Australian filmmaker Ben Golotta, who showcased his Bali bombings documentary, “Until Death,” at the marketplace.
Immediately after the treaty was signed, it was announced that there would be two collaborative film productions between Indonesia and the Netherlands.
Upskilling is the name of the game
The emphasis at both festival and market was upskilling. Netflix built on its 2023 Series Pitch Lab success by conducting the Reel Life Film Camp in partnership with JAFF. The initiative, backed by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, selected 75 participants from over 600 applicants across Indonesia for online training in various film industry roles, including production assistance, accounting, post-production, sound design, special effects, and acting. Among these, 24 participants advanced to in-person sessions in Jogja during JAFF, followed by networking opportunities at the JAFF Market‘s Talent Day.
Netflix’s Hattari mentioned that this specific festival stands out from typical ones we attend, particularly in the markets. Unlike most festivals, it doesn’t just offer a platform for established individuals or companies to present their finished products, but also encourages and supports upcoming talent by providing an opportunity to refine their ideas further. This is significant because it serves as a networking hub where they can find professionals within the industry who can help them complete their projects successfully. Hattari noted that he observes many such connections being made at this festival.
As a movie enthusiast, I appreciate Netflix’s approach towards JAFF (Jaffna Film Factory). They focus on nurturing talents by providing opportunities for upskilling. This way, they can seamlessly integrate these newly skilled individuals into their upcoming projects. If, for instance, a project requires specific skills like production finance or VFX that are currently lacking, our expectation is that the positions will be filled by those who have successfully completed training with us.
Just like I can’t wait for the next big premiere, Fabien Penone, France’s Ambassador to Indonesia, is thrilled about the Indonesia-France Film Lab. Picture it as a lasting, ever-expanding project, gaining momentum and impact over the years. The dream is to make it an annual event, building a solid foundation for nurturing raw talent and facilitating co-production opportunities. Future installments will feature expanded participation and mobility programs, giving selected talents the chance to journey to both France and Indonesia.
Penone stated that it’s important to organize our networks and support budding Indonesian filmmakers in navigating the French film industry more confidently. We won’t be instructing them on filmmaking techniques, but we can provide insights into the customs, culture, and operational aspects of the French market.
Indonesia as a Southeast Asian hub
Fundamentally, the goal of this festival and market is to leverage Indonesia’s status as Southeast Asia’s largest market to establish it as a significant regional center. As stated by its chair, renowned filmmaker Ifa Isfansyah, the JAFF Market serves as a bridge linking Indonesia’s varied film industry, encompassing independent filmmakers and major studios alike.
Isfansyah stated that it seems crucial for Indonesia to establish this hub. He explained that there isn’t currently an event or gathering place where one can learn about the Indonesian film industry. He continued, “If you wish to engage with Indonesian film companies during a week-long stay in Jakarta, you might only be able to meet five due to traffic issues. However, with this market, I truly hope it will prove beneficial for anyone seeking collaboration opportunities within Indonesia.
Linda Gozali, both market director and co-founder of Magma Entertainment, characterized Indonesia as an industry that “aims for grand ambitions.” This sentiment is mirrored by Samtani who asserted, “Filmmakers have stepped up their creativity. Higher quality content is being produced. We notice a growth in the number of cinemas. The sector has seen a 2-5% increase. Therefore, distribution will expand. This can only imply more tickets are purchased.
Samtani pointed out that unlike Hollywood, we’ve benefited during the pandemic because it hasn’t recovered yet. In fact, 65% of all tickets sold are for Indonesian movies, which is fantastic news for us. He believes there’s still plenty of room for growth in this area.
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2024-12-08 09:16