Jakarta World Cinema plans to revive its First Feature Competition next year. The contest will be open to filmmakers from around the world and judged by an international jury.
The competition did not accept submissions this year because the festival had difficulty assembling an international jury. Festival director Shandy Gasella told Variety that previous juries had included only Indonesian judges.
Organizers now aim to invite international jury members with strong filmographies, allowing filmmakers worldwide to submit their work.
According to Frederica, executive director of Jakarta World Cinema and director of KlikFilm, 80–90% of the festival lineup consists of award-winning films from Cannes, Berlin, Venice and Sundance. The festival aims to bring the year’s most important art films to local audiences.
This year’s program includes 207 titles, with 102 theatrical releases—the largest number in the festival’s history. Programming director Daniel Irawan said the team wants to expand next year’s lineup and work with its main venue, CGV Grand Indonesia, to increase audience capacity.
The festival’s short film competition took place in June and drew more than 300 submissions from professionals, amateurs and students. All 30 competition titles and 20 non-competition titles on the shortlist will screen at the festival. The best short film and audience choice winners will be announced on closing day; the best short film winner will receive full KlikFilm funding for the production and distribution of a debut feature.
The festival is backed by Dana Indonesiaraya, a matching fund shared by the government and the film industry. After the Jakarta edition closes on Nov. 7, the program will travel to Bandung World Cinema and Malang World Cinema, running Nov. 14–21.
