Garin Nugroho’s Siapa Dia Wins Best Original Film at Asian Film Festival
- 17 Apr 2026 17:04 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Garin Nugroho’s Siapa Dia won Best Original Film at the 23rd Asian Film Festival in Rome, Italy.
- The jury praised the work as a genre-defying musical and political essay that showcases theatrical cinematic style and bold visual storytelling.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s film industry marked another milestone in its growing international reputation as Garin Nugroho’s Siapa Dia won Best Original Film at the 23rd Asian Film Festival (AFF) in Rome, Italy, held April 7–15, 2026, at Cinema Farnese.
The Indonesian Embassy in Rome partnered with AFF to showcase Indonesian culture and cinema to Italian and global audiences.
Ambassador Junimart Girsang emphasized the significance of the recognition, noting the rising global interest in Indonesian films. “We hope these works inspire and deepen Italian audiences’ understanding of Indonesia,” he said in a written statement on Friday, April 17, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
The jury praised Siapa Dia as a genre-defying creation, a musical spanning three generations, while also serving as visual poetry and a political essay.
The film tells the story of Layar, a movie star facing burnout, with Garin’s theatrical cinematic style evident in its dramatic visuals, bold lighting, and choreography seamlessly integrated into the narrative.
Alongside Siapa Dia, three other Indonesian films were screened: Midnight in Bali by Razka Robby Ertanto, Rangga dan Cinta by Riri Riza, and Garin Nugroho’s Whisper in the Dabbas.
Indonesia has built a strong track record at AFF. In 2024, Women from Rote Island by Jeremias Nyangoen won Best Original Film, while in 2025, Tale of the Land by Loeloe Hendra Komara and Laura Basuki’s performance in Yohanna earned two awards.
Founded in 2003 by the Cineforum Robert Bresson Association, AFF highlights films from across Asia, including China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. This year’s edition featured 45 films from 12 countries.
The Indonesian Embassy hopes that the festival will not only strengthen cultural ties but also open new opportunities for collaboration in the creative industries between Indonesia and Italy. ***
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