Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno opened the Jakarta Film Week (JFW) 2025 on Wednesday night, launching the fifth edition of the international festival that features 134 films from 25 countries and a series of industry programs for young filmmakers across Asia.
The weeklong festival, which runs from Oct. 22 to 26, will screen films at six venues across the capital: CGV Grand Indonesia, Galeri Indonesia Kaya, Harris FX Sudirman, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Mercure Jakarta Cikini, and FFTV Institut Kesenian Jakarta. In addition to physical screenings, audiences can also enjoy the films online via Vidio.com from December 22 to 31, 2025.
The festival opens with The Fox King, a Malaysia-Indonesia collaboration about twin brothers, Ali and Amir, who share a special bond in a small coastal town. It closes with Dopamin, an Indonesian drama about Malik and Alya, a married couple whose lives are shaken after Malik loses his job.
From the Netherlands, the Bioscoop Belanda program features Straight Outta Space and Happy Palace, while the Hong Kong Film Gala showcases titles including Sound of Silence, Bric-a-Brac, Once Upon a Time There Was a Mountain, and Another World.
The festival's lineup includes a range of industry development programs such as a producer lab, business forum, pitching forum, and a talent hub, serving as collaborative spaces for young filmmakers across Asia to exchange ideas and experiment with new storytelling forms.
In his opening remarks, Rano outlined an ambitious vision to transform Jakarta into a "City of Cinema" by 2027, coinciding with the capital's 500th anniversary.
"From 2025 to 2029, Jakarta Film Week will continue to grow every year," Rano said. "We want people to recognize that Jakarta deserves to be known as a city of cinema."
One of Indonesia's most recognizable film figures, Rano said JFW symbolizes the growing international appeal of the Indonesian film industry.
"Jakarta Film Week is our effort to bring films closer to their communities," he said. "Everyone in this room has chosen the right field to dedicate their creativity to."
Rano also revealed that he had recently met with Bank Indonesia officials to encourage financial institutions to play a more active role in supporting local film production.
"When I presented the potential of Indonesia's film industry, they were surprised to learn that most of our films have been made without bank financing," Rano said. "Starting tomorrow, Bank Indonesia will organize a symposium to discuss how the banking sector can help fund domestic filmmaking."
Meanwhile, Ahmad Mahendra, Director General of Cultural Development at the Cultural Affairs Ministry, said JFW plays a vital role in strengthening Indonesia's national film ecosystem.
"Jakarta Film Week has proven that Indonesian filmmakers can compete on a global stage," Mahendra said. "This festival is not only a showcase of films, but also a space for knowledge, growth, and collaboration."
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/lifestyle/jakarta-film-week-2025-showcases-134-films-from-25-countrie