20 Years of JAFF: Fostering Asian Cinema's Future

The Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF), now in its 20th year, has grown significantly from its beginnings as a community-driven project in Yogyakarta. Over two decades, it has evolved into a vital regional platform, presenting 227 films from 47 Asia-Pacific nations. Festival director Ifa Isfansyah notes that while the scale has increased, the festival's commitment to community, conversation, and authentic regional storytelling remains unchanged.

Early challenges included hand-carrying film prints and creating makeshift subtitles, a stark contrast to its current stature. JAFF played a crucial role in building an ecosystem for Southeast Asian cinema, advocating for its importance when it was not on institutional radars. This advocacy has paralleled Indonesia's cinematic resurgence, boosting filmmakers' confidence to share their stories on a global stage.

While JAFF maintains a grassroots approach compared to industry-focused festivals, it now navigates new constraints, including mandatory censorship board approval for all films. Its sustainability relies on diverse funding, including grants, sponsorships, and partnerships with platforms like Netflix. JAFF continues to balance local relevance with international reach, with Yogyakarta remaining its core.