Foreword by the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

Twenty years of the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) is a story of perseverance, transformation, and sincerity in developing the film ecosystem in Asia, and especially in Yogyakarta. This year’s theme, “Transfiguration,” embodies the profound meaning of change. It is not merely a change in appearance, but growth accompanied by a renewed awareness of our role and responsibility to society and culture.

In the PANCAMULIA vision, the Yogyakarta Regional Government is committed to development that improves the quality of life, promotes village reform, empowers the southern region, and fosters a culture of innovation and the use of information technology. Cultural development aims to be a source of both quality of life and livelihood for the community. Film, as a medium of art and cultural expression, is a strategic vehicle for conveying meaning. It articulates Yogyakarta’s unique vision at both regional and global levels.

For two decades, JAFF has reflected Asia’s visual cultural journey and served as a bridge connecting artists, communities, and audiences across nations. In line with the spirit of Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana, this festival is a space where cinema is not only entertainment. It is also a way to beautify life, harmonizing humans, society, and nature through imagination and empathy.

The Yogyakarta Regional Government welcomes JAFF’s efforts to expand its network and deepen its film education programs. We also appreciate JAFF’s role in connecting local communities with international ecosystems. These actions align with regional policies that aim to strengthen cultural diplomacy and promote the creative industry as a vital component of culture-based development.

As JAFF marks its 20th year, may it continue to foster cultural transformation by turning knowledge into wisdom, art into inspiration, and encounters into connections across countries. Let’s continue to collaborate and innovate, strengthening Yogyakarta’s cultural and cinematic leadership in Southeast Asia by honoring its unique values and engaging with the broader world.

We invite everyone to experience, discuss, and transform together through Asian cinema at the 20th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh