NYLA: ANIMATION SHORT FROM INDONESIA’S TALENTED YOUNG ANIMATOR

Among the screening highlights on the sixth day of JAFF19 is Nyla, an animation by director Sigit Hermawan (Indonesia) screened at Empire XXI Studio 1 yesterday. Nyla is an Indonesian short animation produced by RUS Animation that premiered in Indonesia and the world on JAFF19’s special screening program. RUS Animation is a teaching factory studio at SMK Raden Umar Said Kudus, one of the high schools in Indonesia that has an animation department. 

Nyla tells the story of a Sumba girl who burying her dreams of becoming a professional football player, following in the footsteps of his late father who was also a great footballer. This film aired at the same time as the 2024 Women’s AFF Cup, when the country’s national soccer team was competing. The film’s exploration of women’s issues within the context of Sumba’s culture and local wisdom has gained positive reactions from a diverse audience, including animators, actresses, and women activists.

The hope is that the film Nyla will have a significant impact on women’s football in Indonesia. Furthermore, the film, created by over 200 animation students from SMK Raden Umar Said Kudus, can serve as a valuable portfolio to support the students’ professional careers, helping them to be able to compete in the national animation industry. “It’s time for Indonesia to excel in animation, becoming engineers and concept creators, not just operators,” said Roy Tok, one of the producers of Nyla.