JAFF 19 “METANOIA” WILL TAKE PLACE FROM NOVEMBER 30 TO DECEMBER 7, 2024

The 19th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF), themed “Metanoia”, is set to run from November 30 to December 7, 2024. The announcement was made during an online press conference, streamed live on JAFF’s YouTube channel on November 8. The event featured JAFF Festival Director Ifa Isfansyah, Program Director Alexander Matius, and JAFF Market Director Linda Gozali.

During the press conference, JAFF also introduced the inaugural JAFF Market, which will take place from December 3 to 5, 2024.

Linda Gozali, Director of Jaff Market, explained that the initiative was established as a response to the remarkable growth of Indonesia’s film industry, particularly in the post-pandemic era. She expressed hope that JAFF Market would inspire new collaborations, sparking further growth and innovation in the industry. Proven by the awards and recognition earned by Indonesian films on the global stage, as well as record-breaking cinema attendance numbers—the highest since 1926—even surpassing the audience numbers for imported films in Indonesian theaters.

In celebration of these achievements, for the first time, JAFF has selected Indonesian productions as both the opening and closing films of the festival. Samsara, a black-and-white silent film by acclaimed director Garin Nugroho (Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku, 2018; Daun di Atas Bantal, 1998), will open the festival on November 30, 2024. Meanwhile, 1 Kakak 7 Ponakan, a drama by director Yandy Laurens (Jatuh Cinta Seperti di Film-film, 2023; Keluarga Cemara, 2019), will close the festival on December 7, 2024, with its world premiere.

SUPPORT FROM CREATIVE INDUSTRY FIGURES

This celebration was warmly welcomed by creative industry figures, as shown by the presence of several creators who attended the press conference as speakers to show their support. They included Riri Riza (director), Gina S. Noer (producer, director, and screenwriter), Gita Fara (producer), Dipa Andika (producer), Meira Anastasia (director and screenwriter), Sal Priadi (singer, songwriter, and actor), and Chicco Kurniawan (actor). Riri Riza, alongside Miles Films, the production house under his leadership, will open a booth at JAFF Market and host a series of activities for the public to learn more about their ongoing film projects. These initiatives aim to foster new collaborations within the creative industry.

Director and screenwriter Meira Anastasia, together with producer Dipa Andika, shared their excitement about the premiere of their latest film, Cinta Tak Seindah Drama Korea, which is set to have its premiere at JAFF. The film is also part of the competition program, the Indonesian Screen Awards. Gina S. Noer, who has been appointed as one of the competition jurors this year, expressed that this was a valuable experience for her. She hopes that the competing films will inspire resilience, encouraging creators to grow, move forward, and remain true to their conscience—for JAFF and its audience.

This year at JAFF19, not just one but two performances will take place under the Cinematic Concert program, featuring the screening of Samsara accompanied by live music and a special collaboration performance by Sal Priadi and Kunto Aji. Many more special programs await at JAFF19. The full schedule and lineup of films and programs can be found on JAFF’s official social media account @jaffjogja and the official website, jaff-filmfest.org. Tickets will be available starting November 20 2024, through jaff-filmfest.org and TIX.ID.