KBRN, Yogyakarta: The Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) 2025 concluded its 20th edition on Saturday evening, December 6, 2025, with the Golden Hanoman Award presented to Becoming Human (Polen Ly, 2025).

The festival, held from November 29 to December 6, featured screenings, workshops, lectures, and discussions across venues including Empire XXI, Artotel Suites Bianti Hotel, LPP Convention Hotel, and Sender Coffee, reaffirming JAFF’s role as a hub for Asian cinema dialogue.

Festival founder Garin Nugroho reflected on the challenges ahead, noting the uncertainty posed by the rapidly evolving new media ecosystem.

“We cannot predict what will happen in the ecosystem of new media in relation to film. It develops strongly, but we still don’t know how to anticipate or program for it,” Garin said, Saturday.

He stressed that despite two decades of success, the festival must rethink its ecosystem globally, as many filmmakers struggle to sustain careers in the digital era. Collaboration, he added, is essential.

Program Director Alexander Matius praised the audience’s enthusiasm, describing the atmosphere as “unbelievable” and highlighting lively discussions that often continued late into the night. Festival Director Ifa Isfansyah expressed pride in the organization’s regeneration, noting the growing involvement of young people.

JAFF 20 drew more than 30,000 attendees, up from 24,000 last year, making it the largest edition in its history. Over eight days, the festival screened 227 films from 43 countries, including 27 world premieres and 87 Indonesian premieres, alongside 47 forums and lectures.

“Two decades of JAFF is about togetherness, celebration, and mutual trust. The challenge now is how to sustain the film ecosystem amid changing media landscapes,” Ifa remarked.

He identified film archiving as a critical priority, urging collective action to secure the industry’s future. Executive Director Ajish Dibyo emphasized the festival’s sustainability efforts, including managing over 1,500 kg of waste, and reaffirmed JAFF’s commitment to remaining volunteer-driven and environmentally conscious.

The Golden Hanoman Award in the Main Competition went to Becoming Human, which also won the NETPAC Award. The Silver Hanoman was awarded to A Useful Ghost (Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke), while Sunshine (Antoinette Jadaone) received a Jury Special Mention.

In the Indonesian Screen Awards, Better Off Dead/Tinggal Meninggal dominated, winning Best Film, Best Director (Kristo Immanuel), Best Screenplay (Kristo Immanuel & Jessica Tjiu), Best Performance (Omara Esteghlal), and Best Editing (Ryan Purwoko).

Other honors included Best Cinematography for Vera Lestafa (Dopamine), Best Performance for Afiqa Kirana, and Best Production Design for Ahmad Zulkarnen and Wahyu Efata (Ikatan Darah). Best Music went to Anto Hoed and Melly Goeslaw (Rangga & Cinta).

The Best Sound Design award recognized a team of designers and recordists for The Period of Her, while Best Poster went to Evan Wijaya and Jozz Felix (Sore: A Wife From The Future).

The Blencong Award and Students Award both went to Water Sports (Whammy Alcazaren). The Geber Award was presented to Sunshine, while a Jury Special Mention for Light of Asia was given to Hyena (Altay Ulan Yang).

As JAFF enters its third decade, organizers reaffirmed its identity as more than a film screening event. The festival positions itself as a vital space for discourse, experimentation, and sustaining the Asian film ecosystem. Consistency, regeneration, and openness to change will guide JAFF in navigating cinema’s evolving challenges. ***