'Memories of a Burning Body,' 'Yohanna' Triumph at Fourth Jakarta Film Week

The fourth annual Jakarta Film Week recently concluded, awarding top honors to Costa Rica’s “Memories of a Burning Body” for best global film and Indonesia’s “Yohanna” as best Indonesian feature. More than 140 films from 50 countries screened over the five-day festival in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“Memories of a Burning Body,” directed by Antonella Sudasassi Furniss, explored themes of female sexuality. It had previously won an audience award at the Berlin International Film Festival. “Yohanna,” directed by Razka Robby Ertanto, addressed the challenging issue of child labor and built on momentum from its premiere at the Rotterdam Film Festival earlier this year.

This year’s event showcased emerging Indonesian cinema with its opening film “Goodbye, Farewell,” one of few Indonesian movies entirely filmed in South Korea. It drew notable industry figures like producer Kim Young-min and director Duong Dieu Linh to foster cultural exchange. The festival also expanded its industry programs, awarding development grants to promising local projects through a new pitching forum.

At the closing ceremony, festival director Rina Damayanti discussed plans for a new Jakarta Film Commission to facilitate domestic and international productions in the city. Representatives from film commissions in Busan, Tokyo, Quezon City and Yogyakarta shared their expertise in supporting productions through location services. The ceremony came shortly after Indonesia’s new administration formed its ownstandalone Ministry of Culture, highlighting growing support for the nation’s film industry.