RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - Indonesia’s film sector is preparing to enter a new phase of maturity, with the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) set to highlight its flagship program, JAFF Market -- the country’s first and largest film market, now recognized as one of Asia’s most important industry events.

The third edition, JAFF Market 2026 Powered by Amar Bank, will be held from November 28–30, 2026, at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC), Yogyakarta.

The event is expected to bring together creators, producers, investors, distributors, and supporting institutions to strengthen collaboration and build a globally competitive ecosystem.

At a recent press conference, the government emphasized its commitment to supporting the industry, stressing that Indonesia must not only serve as a market for global films but also emerge as a strong producer with competitive distribution and financing capacity.

“We do not only want to be a market for global films, but also strengthen production, distribution, and financing capacity so more Indonesian works can compete internationally. The hope is for Indonesia’s growing film ecosystem to develop inclusively and sustainably,” Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said in a recent statement.

Despite global economic challenges, Indonesia’s film industry continues to show resilience. Cinepoint’s Industry Trends and Performance in H1 2026 reported that 13 Indonesian films surpassed one million viewers before mid-year, marking the fastest achievement compared to previous years.

Reflecting on this momentum, JAFF Market Director Linda Gozali explained the festival’s role. “The challenge now is not just producing more films, but ensuring each project has access to financing, markets, and broader collaboration opportunities. JAFF Market serves as a hub where projects find funding partners, talents gain development opportunities, and Indonesian IP reaches wider markets,” she said.

Festival Director Ifa Isfansyah also underlined the need for stronger infrastructure to sustain growth and expand opportunities. “Indonesia has immense talent and intellectual property, but we still need industry infrastructure that expands collaboration and sustainable business opportunities,” he remarked.

To address these needs, JAFF Market 2026 will feature programs across the film industry’s value chain, including Film Industry Exhibitions, JAFF Future Project, Talent Day, Film Lab, Film & Market Conference, Market Screening, Company Showcase, Networking Events, and JAFF IP Connection.

The continued partnership with Amar Bank reflects growing interest from the financial sector in Indonesia’s creative economy. President Director Vishal Tulsian underscored the importance of tailored financing.

“JAFF Market has consistently proven its role as a strong hub for building an integrated ecosystem. Our support is aimed at encouraging multi-stakeholder collaboration to design financial services tailored to the creative industry’s unique business models, ensuring creative potential transforms into sustainable economic value,” he said.

JAFF Market also collaborates with the Indonesian Film Board (BPI) and associations such as APROFI, IFDC, PILAR, INAFEd, ICS, and ACI, strengthening local industry capacity while opening space for innovation, technology, and new business approaches.

Beyond its annual event, JAFF Market has expanded internationally, participating in major industry platforms such as Marché du Film–Cannes, Asian Contents & Film Market–Busan, and Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF)–Singapore, promoting Indonesian creators and intellectual property while building global networks.

This year’s edition is expected to reaffirm JAFF Market’s role as a vital hub for Indonesia’s film industry, bridging local talent with international opportunities and ensuring the country’s creative sector remains competitive on the world stage. ***