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JAFF Film Fest: 'Becoming Human' Wins Top Prize
7 Dec
Summary
- 'Becoming Human' received the Golden Hanoman at JAFF's 20th edition.
- The festival celebrated its largest edition, showing 227 films.
- Film ecosystem sustainability and archiving were key discussion points.
The 20th Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) concluded in Yogyakarta, awarding Polen Ly's "Becoming Human" the prestigious Golden Hanoman. The jury lauded the film for its poetic meditation on memory and loss, calling it a love letter to cinema. This milestone edition also saw "A Useful Ghost" win the Silver Hanoman and "Sunshine" receive a special mention.
This year's festival was its largest to date, attracting over 30,000 attendees and showcasing 227 films from 43 countries. Discussions centered on the critical need for sustainability within the film ecosystem and the growing importance of archiving initiatives amidst rapid digital advancements. Festival director Ifa Isfansyah emphasized these challenges and opportunities.
The event championed emerging filmmakers and women directors, presenting works by 34 debut directors and 63 female directors. "Better Off Dead/Tinggal Meninggal" dominated the Indonesian Screen Awards. The festival’s success underscores its role in fostering cinematic dialogue and supporting diverse filmmaking.
