Jakarta Film Fest Targets Global Reach
Organizers plan to revive the international First Feature Competition in 2027 after a one-year pause to recruit judges.
By Carmen Wojcik ·
Jakarta World Cinema plans to reopen its First Feature Competition to filmmakers from around the world in 2027.
The festival suspended the category for the current year due to logistical challenges in forming a diverse judging panel. Festival director Shandy Gasella noted that previous editions relied exclusively on Indonesian judges. The organizing team intends to assemble an international jury with strong filmographies next year, a move that will allow the competition to accept global submissions.
This pause follows a record-setting 2026 program. The current lineup includes 102 theatrical titles, the highest count in the festival's history. The total program comprises 207 films. Programming director Daniel Irawan stated that the goal for the upcoming year is to expand the lineup further. The team also aims to increase audience capacity by continuing to work with its main venue, CGV Grand Indonesia.
Frederica, the executive director of Jakarta World Cinema and director of KlikFilm, oversees acquisitions. She explained that the festival's lineup consists of 80-90% award-winning films from Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Sundance. The team travels to film markets in Berlin, Toronto, and Cannes to secure the year's most important art films for local audiences.
The festival also runs a short film competition, which took place in June and drew more than 300 entries from professionals, amateurs, and students. All 30 competition titles and 20 non-competition shortlist titles will screen during the festival. The best short film winner will receive full funding from KlikFilm for the production and distribution of a debut feature. Winners for best short film and audience choice will be announced on closing day.
Jakarta World Cinema is backed by Dana Indonesiaraya, a matching fund shared by the government and the film industry. Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon confirmed this support structure. The Jakarta edition closes on Nov. 7. The same program will then travel to Bandung World Cinema and Malang World Cinema, two local extensions running from Nov. 14 to 21.
