The 19th Yogya-Netpak Asian Film Festival concluded in Yogyakarta (Yogja), Indonesia, with local film “Yohana” dominating the Indonesian Screen Awards while director Neo Sura’s “Happyend” took home the festival’s top Hanuman Gold Award.
Rizka Rubi Ertanto’s “Johana” took home five awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Storytelling, Best Performance (Laura Basuki, Kirana Putri Graciela, Ekwa Tahlika), and Best Cinematography (Odyssey Flores). Trung Minh Quy’s film “Viet and Nam” received the Silver Hanuman Award.
In other awards, The Maw Naing’s “Ma – Cry of Silence” won the Netpac Award and the Geber Award, while Hong Chen’s “When the Wind Rises” won the Blencong Award and the JAFF Student Award. Behzad Nalbandi’s film “Anita, Lost in the News” received a special mention from the jury.
The festival program included a masterclass with Taiwanese author Tsai Ming-liang, which attracted filmmakers such as Riri Risa, Mira Lesmana, Camila Andini, and JAFF director Eva Esfanciah. Three of Tsai’s works were shown: “Vive L’Amour” (1994), “Goodbye, Dragon Inn” (2003), and “Abiding Nowhere” (2024).
The night program returned with midnight screenings, while the Cinema Concert Series included two performances: “Samsara” by Jarin Nugroho with live musical accompaniment and a collaboration between artists Sal Briadi and Kunto Aji.
JAFF continued its universal screening programme, Bioskop Bisik, which caters to the visually and hearing-impaired public. The festival attracted more than 24,000 participants, marking the highest turnout since its launch in 2006. The next edition, JAFF20, is scheduled to return in 2025.
The festival’s inaugural enterprise market, Dry Market, proved to be a success.
“The maturity of JAFF can be felt in the reactions of the audience and participants this year,” Isfansyah said. “We hope that all forms of enthusiasm and feedback from JAFF19 participants will be the driving force for the vitality of Indonesian cinema over the next few years.”
“The fully booked film concert, live participation of children and families in Layar Anak Indonesiana, and nightly program screening are our ways of showcasing the diversity of acts and diversity of players in the film industry,” added Ajesh. DePio, Executive Director of JAFF. “Going forward, we aim to maintain this spirit of diversity by continuing to innovate and bring more creative and groundbreaking forms of expression to life.”
Full list of winners:
Main competition
Golden Hanuman: “The Happy Ending” (New Sora Monastery)
Silver Hanuman: “Vietnam and Nam” (De Truong Minh Quy)
NETPAC Award
“Ma – Cry of Silence” (Mao Ning Monastery)
Blencong Award
“When the Wind Blows” (Directed by Hong Chen)
Special mention to the Light of Asia section
“Anita, Lost in the News” (Dir Behzad Nalpindi)
Indonesia Screen Awards
Best Film: “Johanna” (directed by Rizka Rubi Ertanto)
Best Director: Rizka Ruby Ertanto (“Yuna”)
Best Nonfiction: Rizka Ruby Ertanto (“Johanna”)
Best Performance: Laura Basuki, Kirana Putri Graciela, Ekwa Tahlika (“Johana”)
Best Cinematography: Odyssey Flores (“Johanna”)
Best Editing: Ahmed Fidi Angoro (“The Magic Queen”)
Donor award
“Ma – The Cry of Silence” (Mao Naing Monastery)
JAF Student Award
“When the Wind Blows” (Directed by Hong Chen)