11th Jakarta International Film Festival

The idea to hold an international film festivals in Jakarta came from movie lovers Shanty Harmayn and Natacha Devillers, who in 1999 worked together in Salto Films and also living in Jakarta. When the other countries already have an international film festivals, the Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF) has 12 years of age, while the Pusan International Film Festival (Korea) although just three-year-old began to attract attention among Asian and world cinema. Thailand and the Philippines also have launched their international film festival: Bangkok International Film Festival (September 1998) and Cinemanila (July 1999). Shanty Harmayn and Natacha Devillers decided to make Jakarta International Film Festival (JIFFest) in November of 1999.

As Jiffest was gearing up for this year’s edition, it has just entered their second decade since it held first festival edition exactly 10 years ago. JIFFest has become a familiar and recognizable brand to many filmgoers in town, in the country, and to some extent, in the region or even worldwide. For most of them, watching and going to JIFFest in the past years have become something of a walking down memory lane.

JiFFest then grew into a showcase of Indonesian film development for international film industry. Indonesian films managed to bring themselves into the international circuit with 4 Indonesian films being screened at Berlin International Film Festival early this year. JiFFest Script Development Competition & Workshop (JSDC) which brought international professional tutors had given birth to some of today fs best talents such as Wahyu Aditya (2004), World Champion International Young Creative Entrepreneur of the Year (2007); Tumpal Tampubolon (2005), Asian Young Filmmakers Fellow Korea (2008); Salman Aristo (2006), writer of Ayat-Ayat Cinta (2007), Laskar Pelangi (2008) and Garuda Di Dadaku (2009); Yuli Andari Merdekaningtyas (2006), director of Suster Apung, winner of Eagle Awards Metro TV (2006), and many more.

For the first time, all JIFFest screenings will be held exclusively in one venue in Blitzmegaplex, Grand Indonesia. Using integrated ticketing system with the cinema, audiences will no longer feel the burden of free-seating screenings. So having one-stop and centralized venue will create a greater festive atmosphere.

Lastly, JiFFest is ready to start its journey this year. Starts in Belitong, which depicted in opening film SANG PEMIMPI, making a new record as the first Indonesian film featured as the opening film, and ends in New York as a closing film, NEW YORK I LOVE YOU. In between the two, 25 countries are being represented in high quality films selection.

Website: www.jiffest.org
Contact: info@jiffest.org