‘Tale of the Land’ Director Loeloe Hendra Brings Migrant Worker Drama to JAFF Future Project

Indonesia's cinema market is facing significant volatility in 2025, with fluctuating box office numbers despite notable successes, as discussed by industry leaders at the JAFF Market panel. Filmmaker Angga Dwimas Sasongko highlighted the challenges and opportunities for sustainable growth in the industry.

Indonesia’s Mandela Pictures and Desert Bloom Pictures from Korea have announced a partnership to develop four films, revealed at the JAFF Market in Yogyakarta. This collaboration aims to connect the Indonesian, Korean, and Hollywood film markets, leveraging Desert Bloom's success in Korean cinema alongside Mandela's regional expertise.

The Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) is collaborating with the Asian Film Awards Academy for the second year to present a showcase of Hong Kong cinema in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from November 30 to December 4. This year's program, titled 'Together We Dare to Direct,' will feature a masterclass with renowned director Ann Hui and highlight works from various generations of filmmakers.

Kanya Iwana, an Indonesian multidisciplinary artist, has made her feature directorial debut with 'Ibu,' selected for the JAFF Future Project. The film explores generational trauma among three women in Yogyakarta, reflecting on inherited identity and cultural legacies in Indonesia. This co-production with the U.S. is part of a curated selection of ten titles at the festival.

Park Ki-yong, the former chair of the Korean Film Council, is returning to directing with a new project titled 'Ghost Island,' selected for the JAFF Future Project. This supernatural thriller explores parallel Cold War massacres in Korea and follows his previous success with 'Motel Cactus,' which won the New Currents Award at the 1998 Busan International Film Festival.

Triple Green CineCapital has launched a new film investment venture at the JAFF Market in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, aiming to raise $3 million by 2029 to finance commercial features for Southeast Asian audiences. The venture is spearheaded by producer Leonard Lai from Singapore and Vietnam's Hang Trinh.

France and Indonesia are enhancing their cultural partnership with the return of the France-Indonesia Film Lab for its second edition at the JAFF Market, highlighting the importance of cinema in their strategic relations. Ambassador Fabien Penone emphasized that culture is central to this partnership, showcasing a commitment to storytelling and collaboration.

Aaron Wilson, the director of the debut feature 'Canopy,' has announced a new project titled 'Under the Banyan Moon,' which has been selected for the JAFF Future Project. This cross-cultural romance film, set between Australia and Indonesia, is a co-production involving Wilson and producer Michael McMahon through Left-Handed Productions.