JAFF Awards 2026

After two decades as part of Asian cinema’s journey, the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) introduces the JAFF Awards 2026, an annual awards program with a kaleidoscopic approach that recognizes the individuals, works, communities, institutions, and practices that have helped shape cinema. The JAFF Awards are a way of giving back to the community that has grown alongside JAFF, and a space to celebrate the achievements, dedication, collective works, and contributions that have made an impact to the film ecosystem.

The JAFF Awards stem from the idea that cinema’s growth cannot be measured only by the films it produces or their artistic achievements. Many ideas, initiatives, collective efforts, and practices also help keep the ecosystem moving. For this reason, the JAFF Awards aim to look at cinema’s development kaleidoscopically, year by year. The award categories will continue to evolve, reflecting what is growing and what is making a meaningful impact on the ecosystem.

The first edition of the JAFF Awards in 2026 marks a new step in JAFF’s growth. While JAFF Festival brings together films, audiences, and film culture, and JAFF Market connects industry professionals through its network, the JAFF Awards serve as a space for recognition and contribution, highlighting the many roles and practices that help sustain the Asian cinema ecosystem.