The Jakarta World Cinema festival, known as a hub for international filmmakers, has announced the winners of its fourth edition held at CGV Grand Indonesia. Highlighting the event, “Omaha,” “Nino,” and “Sentimental Value” captured top honors, reinforcing the festival’s reputation as a pivotal space for cinematic celebration and innovation.
Top Awards for Innovative Filmmaking
Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” earned the coveted JWC Audience Award, directly reflecting audience admiration and engagement. The First Feature Competition saw Pauline Loquès receiving Best Director for “Nino,” showcasing her unique cinematic vision. Meanwhile, Cole Webley’s “Omaha” secured the Best Film award, further cementing its impact at the festival.
Spotlight on Indonesian Talent
The KlikFilm Short Movie Competition highlighted rising Indonesian filmmakers with significant accolades. Sinung Winahyoko’s “Babon” claimed the top prize along with a feature film fund, a promising boost for the project. Joni Astin Ariadi’s “Darma” earned the first runner-up position, also receiving a feature film fund, while Ardian Parasto’s “Pembayun” was awarded the second runner-up slot with similar funding. Nada Leo Prakasa’s “Wahyu” delighted audiences, earning the Audience Favorite Award and a cash prize of IDR50 million ($3,000).
Audience Engagement and Cultural Impact
This year, the festival included 185 films from 66 countries, attracting 208,111 film enthusiasts through both online and in-person screenings in Jakarta. Fadli Zon, Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, remarked, “Jakarta World Cinema is a very important event for the Indonesian film ecosystem, where it becomes a space for discussion and a celebration of cinema. Our film industry is something we must nurture, and so far its development has been very positive.”
He also highlighted the role of JWC in fostering new talent: “Through JWC, we are also very pleased to see that several young filmmakers now have the opportunity to make their first feature films funded by KlikFilm. We hope there will be more platforms like this.”
Festival Growth and Future Prospects
Executive director Frederica referred to this edition as “a turning point for us,” emphasizing the enthusiastic audience response. She expressed pride in supporting emerging filmmakers in transitioning from shorts to feature-length films. Festival director Shandy Gasella echoed this sentiment, noting, “The audience response to JWC 2025 has been extraordinary. From sold-out screenings to the excitement around the short film competition, this shows that spaces for appreciating both world and local cinema are growing.”
Founded in 2022, Jakarta World Cinema, powered by KlikFilm and supported by CGV Cinemas, continues to be an influential platform in the global film festival circuit. The success of films like “Omaha,” “Nino,” and “Sentimental Value” at this year’s festival underscores its role in nurturing and showcasing groundbreaking filmmaking talent.
