Discoveries from Indonesia World Cinema

A short documentary by Daniel Dyonisius

Like many other diverse cultures, a group of teenagers in a corner of Bandung also has its own culture: alcohol. One of them stands out as an icon—Qbong—who then speaks extensively about their core beliefs.

The Man who wants to escape, and Free!

Sam (39 years old), a foreign national astronaut, embarks on a journey with his colleague, Ben (35), who serves as the documentarian. Upon arriving on Mars, Sam feels immense pride as a representative of his country, believing they are the first to land on the barren planet. They begin exploring Mars and face numerous obstacles: getting caught in a storm, difficulties with documentation, the camera filter falling off the lens, and suddenly running out of camera supplies. As they venture farther, Sam is shocked to find the red-and-white flag of Indonesia planted in the ground. It turns out they are not the first to reach Mars.

This film tells about dreams, wishes, and what motivates people who work as extras in film and TV production in Jakarta.

a short film by Ayu DA

Empy is enjoying her solitude, drunk.

Hardjono, a ketoprak performer whose art is a calling of the soul, is faced with an unavoidable situation. He tells his story through a letter to his beloved. Friends and neighbors come urging him to flee, as the leader of his ketoprak troupe has already been arrested. But Hardjono stands firm. Soldiers and a mob arrive to take him away, leaving a trail of blood on the floor of his home.

Karima, a teenager who secretly has the ability to remove unseen cratures from human bodies, begins to lose her sanity between reality and illusion when past trauma, family pressure, and a new social world collide—until she has to choose between running away or making peace with herself.

In 2024, in Surabaya, a teenage boy is cycling alone in the morning.

Surya is compelled to return to his village after failing to secure a job in the city. He takes on the responsibility of managing his deceased grandmother's shop. Due to financial pressures, he reluctantly accepts embezzled money from a friend and is subsequently accused of practicing black magic by the villagers.

In a city that never truly cared, a young man walked aimlessly. He had no one—only a pair of weary feet and a hope that was nearly extinguished. Each day, he tried to weave meaning from brief conversations with strangers, as if hoping that just one might last longer than a mere greeting. In the crowd that felt lonelier than solitude, he wondered how much longer he had to endure before he truly disappeared.

Access to all films available at the in-person screening, as well as films that could not be screened in person due to time constraints.

A polptych following a group of people trying to understand the act of fondness.

Raihan thought maybe it was time for him to go home, Raihan was tired of hoping to be able to choose a straight life, even though accompanied by the guidance of his friend Nayla, he tried to get away from his own bad psychological bonds, but like falling down the stairs Raihan was also faced with his family's economic situation which was not good. Has Raihan made up his mind to go home?

Joko is diagnosed with a rare and contagious disease by his doctor, which forces him to be isolated from people and his surroundings. His close friend, Joni, feels the sorrow Joko is experiencing and decides to cheer him up in his own way.

A short film by Jihad Adjie

A young man did something forbidden by whistling at night.

A father, an online car service driver, opposed his son's desire to study at ITB and insisted that he go straight to work. The argument that morning made the son leave in anger. That day, the father met three customers: a high school student who wanted to enter ITB, an ITB student, and an ITB graduate. The conversation with them shook his beliefs about education. When picking up his son, the father finally apologized and revealed his previously failed dream of entering ITB. The son understood his father's pain, and they forgave each other.

Tells the story of two friends who want to understand each other and want to always be there for each other, one day they have a big fight…

Ratih's love story with a man named Baskara was woven until one day the relationship broke up and made Ratih heartbroken and depressed about her love story.

A robber who manages to support himself and his blind sister, but he begins to question his criminal actions after he robs the house of a middle-aged man who is also blind.

Nevan is a student with an ordinary life and doesn't stand out too much at school. His life changed when a round light made the students have numbers above their heads, including Nevan who had very small numbers. Nevan tries to increase the number he has, which, at the same time, helps him understand the meaning of the number.

Sometimes, parents are too strict in raising their children. Risa, a girl who is still in elementary school often gets bad treatment from her father. Like being scolded a lot, even physically hurt. Until one day something bad happened to Risa that caused her father to regret what he did to Risa.

Cening, a young girl from Bali, is given the important responsibility of performing the Tumpek Pengarah ritual in her family’s orange grove. Reluctant at first, as she’d rather play with her friends, she follows her mother’s wishes and heads to the grove. She’s not finished the ritual and go to the river with her friends, Cening finds herself drawn into a mystical world, where she encounters Kawa, a magical guardian. Through this otherworldly meeting, Cening discovers the deeper meaning of gratitude and sacrifice.

The powerful interventions of the Indonesian artist, cultural studies scholar and filmmaker Timoteus Anggawan Kusno are internationally renowned. What distinguishes them are the empowering attitude and the breathtaking aesthetics he employs to re-interpret in different media the cultural traditions passed on in his homeland. With “Afterlives”, he delivers another unequivocal reckoning with the representations of history shaped by colonial annexation.

Today is a special day, for Piku to finally receive the respectable hat from his parents. It is a special hat worn by all of his family members through the generations. However, turns out Piku is not strong enough to wear the hat, so he was forced to come up with all ways for him to be able to wear his special hat.

ALAM (45/L) whose son was murdered and his body dumped somewhere because he was considered a thug. All the time, Nature remained silent in the place where she last saw the child and made a grave as a place to express her longing for the child. Two years later, an industrial center will be built on the land and the only person who doesn't want to sell the land is Alam. What will happen to Nature in the future? Will he sell the land or not? You can see Alam's inner battle between defending his grave or selling it because he experienced terror after terror, in the short film entitled Pajaratan Cinta.

Gathan, Balqis, and Naela are used to be a best friend. But when Naela is passed away, Balqis and Gathan have to face their issue.

Yahya and Syifa, two siblings from a poor family, want to take part in the online learning process using a broken cellphone.

Minah (42), a widow, casual worker who has lost her child and husband as a result of the annulment of her husband's family's hereditary agreement with the yellow crocodile spirit. One afternoon, Minah received news that Fajar (15) her another child disappeared in the river while playing with his friends. Minah uses leather crocodile left by her late husband to find her child without having to make it the agreement resumed

Emma’s first collaboration with Indonesian performance artist, Tamarra, was in January 2019, when they travelled together to South Sulawesi to spend time with members of the Bissu community there. There is danger in assuming a universal trans experience - the Bissu have long celebrated multiple gender identities but their history of veneration, persecution and survival is unique. Tamarra and Emma made a subsequent shared ritual performance and documentary of the trip named Calabai Jangeng (literally - Crazy Trans Women) a term of beautiful endearment that was shouted loudly throughout our 10 day road trip!

Kelly and Dika have been dating since junior year in college. Now, five years into the relationship, they might not be in the same place anymore. Are they ready to admit it, though?

A senior high school student commited to marry a young man even though she is still underage.

Fadhil and Citra are counting the days towards their high school graduation. Sadly, their dreams to have better lives seemingly drift their future apart.

Two friends who are vlogging want to try the games mentioned in horror news, and they try to play it, and unfortunately they are hit by terror.

The two founders of the club where they can vent at school are called "Proteksi Sandiwara" Galang and Abby. was surprised by the arrival of one of their club members, Audy, who felt that the story of her personal love problems was spreading among the school. Therefore, Audy took revenge by forcing Galang and Abby to tell Audy about the problem of his play to spread around the school.

After a house fire, a newly-divorced single mother is accused of abandoning a stranger who dies.

The brothers have a nightmare became a reality with terror

Two boys argue over their desires that might be hypocritical.