HAPPYEND WINS TOP PRIZE GOLDEN HANOMAN, YOHANNA WINS 5 CATEGORIES AT INDONESIAN SCREEN AWARDS, AND A BROTHER AND 7 SIBLINGS CLOSES JAFF19 LEAVES A SWEET AND WARM FAREWELL

The heavy rain that poured over Yogyakarta since the afternoon did not dampen the enthusiasm of Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) 19th edition visitors. They stayed for and followed the final day’s events. After a series of screening and non-screening programs throughout the afternoon, the closing ceremony was held on the evening of Saturday, 7 December 2024, at the main stage area of Empire XXI Jogja. The event was opened with a speech by Festival Director Ifa Isfansyah, who expressed pride in the extraordinary enthusiasm from the film community and audiences. Ifa also extended a big thank you to the 124 Festival Staff and 129 Volunteers who successfully made JAFF’s 19th edition a success. Meanwhile, JAFF founder Garin Nugroho, on the same occasion, hoped that the current spirit of JAFF could be aligned and continued with the same enthusiasm in the upcoming editions.

This year, Indonesia’s longest-running and largest international film festival held its program over 8 days since November 30, and by its final day on December 7, JAFF19 broke a record by attracting 24,462 spectators, the highest attendance in the festival’s 19-year history. JAFF this year showcased 182 films from 25 countries, including 35 World Premieres and 68 Indonesian Premieres. In addition, 33 debut filmmakers and 41 female directors contributed to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.

After the speeches, JAFF Awards were announced. The film Happyend, directed by Neo Sora, won the prestigious Golden Hanoman, the highest award at JAFF. Happyend was seen as a form of youth resistance in Japan against a system perceived as increasingly oppressive. The film was praised for its compelling and engaging presentation. Although Neo Sora could not attend, he sent a video acceptance speech where he expressed his joy and pride for the award, especially since this was his first feature film and it received the highest honor at JAFF.

Meanwhile, the Silver Hanoman award went to Viet and Nam, directed by Truong Minh Quy. Viet and Nam was recognized as a poignant gay love story, deeply affected by the remnants of the Vietnam War. The story was successfully told in a melancholic and emotional way from the perspective of a young man.

In the Indonesian Screen Awards category, Yohanna, a film by Razka Robby Ertanto, dominated by winning 5 awards, including Best Film and Best Directing. According to the jury members of the Indonesian Screen Awards—Anthony Chen, Liz Shackleton, and Shozo Ichiyama—Yohanna presented a sincere and honest portrayal of marginalized communities in rural Indonesia. In an interview with the media, director Razka Robby Ertanto expressed how proud and delighted he was to win 5 awards at JAFF this year. It was a great honor to finally receive recognition in his own country. He also felt privileged that his work was included in this year’s JAFF after his 2018 film Ave Maryam was also featured at the festival.

The event continued with JAFF Program Director Alexander Matius presenting the closing film of JAFF19, A Brother and 7 Siblings. This family drama is directed by Yandy Laurens, who won Piala Citra for Best Original Screenplay at the 2024 Indonesian Film Festival (FFI). Yandy with most of the lead cast members were present on the main stage to thank JAFF and the audience for their enthusiastic support of the film. The screening of A Brother and 7 Siblings (SAKATUPO for short) at JAFF also served as its world premiere.

The film SAKATUPO is adapted from a story by Arswendo Atmowiloto. It tells the story of MOKO (Chicco Kurniawan), a struggling young architect who suddenly becomes a “single-parent” for his nephew, after the untimely death of his older siblings. Audience members filling all five XXI Empire Jogja theaters for the premiere of A Brother and 7 Siblings shared their positive reactions. One of them, Ithiffa, left the theater with red eyes after crying during the screening. “The choice of this film as the closing film was absolutely right. Thank you, JAFF. This movie is so good and personally touching, so JAFF ends on such a warm note,” she said.

“SAKATUPO closed JAFF this year in such a warm way, especially considering the heavy rain that has been pouring over Jogja in recent days,” said Razny Mahardika, director of the film Wajib Tonton Sebelum Mati, which was part of the Secinta Itu Sama Sinema program at JAFF19. “SAKATUPO made the perfect closing statement for all JAFF19 audiences, reminding us that whatever we experience here (at JAFF 19), it all brings warmth to us,” he continued. The film A Brother and 7 Siblings will be released in cinemas nationwide on January 23, 2025.

The warmth left a lasting impression, creating beautiful new memories for all JAFF19 audiences and visitors, and we look forward to seeing everyone again at JAFF20, which is scheduled to take place from November 29 to December 6, 2025.

WINNERS LIST JOGJA-NETPAC ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL 19

MAIN COMPETITION

JURY MEMBER: AMANDA NELL EU | GINA S. NOER | JULIEN REJL

GOLDEN HANOMAN

HAPPYEND – director Neo Sora

An ode to Japanese youth, electrified and rebellious against an increasingly oppressive system. A strikingly contemporary film about mass surveillance. A cry for freedom! 

SILVER HANOMAN

VIET AND NAM – director Trương Minh Quý

A poignant gay love story set in an unreconciled Vietnam, still scarred by the remnants of war and the loss of loved ones. A fascinating sensory journey through coal mines. A melancholic and heartbreaking look at a youth forced to flee their homeland.

NETPAC AWARD

JURY MEMBER: ARIANI DARMAWAN | INTAN PARAMADITHA | LATIKA PADGAONKAR

MA – CRY OF SILENCE – director The Maw Naing

Its moving portrayal of a group of young women workers’ resistance to violent economic structures through compelling images of oppression, protest and collective action.

BLENCONG AWARD

JURY MEMBER: ANGGUN PRIAMBODO | OH JUNG-WAN | SHEILA DARA AISHA

WHEN THE WIND RISES – director Hung Chen

Brilliant and incisive observation of human behavior, crafted with wit and precision. The storytelling is simple yet effective. The film masterfully blends humor and emotion to hold up a mirror to society, capturing our desires and imperfections with remarkable clarity. Its seamless execution and sharp comedic timing make it a poignant and relatable portrait of humanity. 

SPECIAL MENTION FOR LIGHT OF ASIA SECTION

ANITA, LOST IN THE NEWS – director Behzad Nalbandi

A visually stunning and emotionally raw masterpiece. It’s unique storytelling for an untold story to bring an intimate, eye-opening perspective. Heartbreaking yet compassionate at the same time. The film lingers in the heart reminding us of the universal power of empathy.

INDONESIAN SCREEN AWARDS

JURY MEMBER: ANTHONY CHEN | LIZ SHACKLETON | SHOZO ICHIYAMA

BEST FILM

YOHANNA – director Razka Robby Ertanto

The jury was moved by the sincerity and honesty of this compassionate portrait of marginalised communities in rural Indonesia. The film was a standout amongst the competition titles.

BEST DIRECTING

YOHANNA – director Razka Robby Ertanto

For a story that never lapses into predictability or patronises its characters.

BEST STORYTELLING

RAZKA ROBBY ERTANTO – film YOHANNA

For a story that never lapses into predictability or patronises its characters, 

BEST PERFORMANCE

LAURA BASUKI, KIRANA PUTRI GRASELA, IQUA TAHLEQUA  – film YOHANNA

The jury was impressed by not one but three members of this ensemble that brought the story to life. For their natural and compelling performances.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

ODYSSEY FLORES  – film YOHANNA

For its energetic and visceral use of the camera while capturing the sensitive emotions of its characters.

BEST EDITING

AKHMAD FESDI ANGGORO – film THE QUEEN OF WITCHCRAFT

For effective use of editing to bring maximum impact to the genre. 

GEBER AWARD

JURY MEMBER: KUSEN DONY HERMANSYAH | RICAS CWU | YEDI LETEDARA

MA – CRY OF SILENCE – director The Maw Naing

Narratively, the story is very simple, but the issues are big problems. The development of the characters is very good and the decision not to show rulers and male figures in this film is no less important. As for the editing, a slow tempo rhythm is used, but it fits well with the feeling of silence and long suffering of the characters. Likewise, ambient sounds and various sound effects are used a lot to show the elements of power that always terrorize them. The use of two action spaces as locations, namely the rented house and the factory, which really seem like a prison or cage for the main characters. Meanwhile, the blue nuances of the cinematography give a cold and sinister atmosphere to the spaces they are in. In these places, their rights are confiscated and the audience is shown how, in a state of captivity, they do not stop fighting for their rights that were taken away from them by force. This problem is not much different when related to the Indonesian context, which still has the same problems.

JAFF STUDENT AWARD

JURY MEMBER: ANANDA AFTA FIRSTIARKO | MUHAMMAD AKMAL IHSAN | MUHAMMAD FAWWAZ FAUZARRAHMAN | MUHAMMAD RAFI EKA PUTRA | TRI YUNII AULIA

WHEN THE WIND RISES – director Hung Chen

When the wind blows the critical condition of an environment, the courage to voice it out loud is conveyed well through frame by frame and representation of a community figure in the film.