Indonesian Short Film Vaterland Secures CANAL+ Award at Cannes Critics' Week

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Independent Indonesian cinema has achieved a monumental milestone on the global stage as the short film Vaterland or A Bule Named Yanto clinched the prestigious CANAL+ Award at La Semaine de la Critique (Cannes Critics’ Week) in Cannes, France.

Directed by Berthold Wahjudi and set entirely against the cultural backdrop of Yogyakarta, the film stood out as one of only two short films to be honored at the 2026 edition of the acclaimed parallel program, which ran from May 13 to 21, 2026. While the Sony Discovery Prize for short films went to Romain F. Dubois's Skinny Boots, the CANAL+ Award, presented by the major French television and film distribution network, was proudly handed to the Indonesian production.

The victory is particularly impressive given the fierce global competition. The selection committee for Cannes Critics' Week filtered through more than 1,050 submissions spanning 106 countries before celebrating the winners on the closing night of the program's 65th edition.

Vaterland follows Yanto, a mixed-race German Indonesian man in his mid-20s, who travels to Yogyakarta to visit his younger sister. What begins as a simple family reunion quickly evolves into a deep, poignant reflection on dual identities, the complex sense of belonging, and the subtle alienation experienced by those caught between two vastly different cultures.

Annisa Adjam, the producer and founder of Aftersun Creative, shared that witnessing the international audience's response in France was an unforgettable milestone for the entire creative team.

"Being able to make a film set in Jogja with a minority perspective, people with mixed cultures like this, and then getting such a good reaction from the Cannes audience yesterday, was a very meaningful experience for us," Annisa expressed in an official statement received in Jakarta on Thursday, May 21, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The award-winning short is an international co-production between Indonesia's Aftersun Creative and Germany's Madfilm. Despite the cross-border partnership, the film remains deeply rooted in local talent, featuring a predominantly Indonesian crew and utilizing Yogyakarta for the entirety of its principal photography.

Before securing the distribution giant's award, Vaterland celebrated its world premiere on May 19, 2026, as part of the official Cannes Critics' Week competition. Producers Annisa Adjam and Bagus Suitrawan attended the festival in person, using the high-profile platform to expand international networks and advocate for Indonesia's growing independent film ecosystem.

Cannes Critics’ Week is highly regarded in the film industry as a premier launchpad dedicated to showcasing the first and second features of emerging directors, frequently serving as a crucial steppingstone for young filmmakers entering the global arena. ***