Retrospective: Indonesian Short Film Highlights - From Locarno to Venice
Dancing Colours
Indonesia | 2022 | Drama | 15 minutes | 17+ | Indonesian with English subtitles
To please his parents, Dika hides his true self by dancing it out.
Untuk menyenangkan orangtuanya, Dika menyembunyikan dirinya yang sebenarnya dengan menari.
Accolades :
- Official Selection, Pardi di domani: Concorso Internazionale, Locarno Film Festival 2022
- Best Short Film – Fiction, Festival Film Indonesia 2022
Director : M. Reza Fahriyansyah
Cast : Dimas Juju, Brilliana Arfira, Eko Budi Antara
Dear to Me
Indonesia | 2021 | Drama | 19 minutes | 17+ | Indonesia with English subtitles
Tim and his family are having a vacation on a remote island, where they learn about the myth of a reincarnated deer. The locals believe if you see it, you will meet your soulmate. Tim, hiding his desire from his very devout Christian parents, secretly hopes to see the deer.
Tim dan keluarganya berlibur di sebuah pulau terpencil, di mana mereka mendapatkan informasi mengenai mitos tentang rusa yang bereinkarnasi. Penduduk lokal percaya bahwa jika berpapasan dengan rusa itu, orang itu akan segera bertemu belahan jiwanya. Tim, yang selama ini menyembunyikan keinginan dari orangtuanya, diam-diam berharap bertemu dengan rusa itu.
Accolades :
- Special Mention from the Youth Jury (Cinema & Gioventù, Open Doors: Shorts, Locarno Film Festival, 2021
Director : Monica Vanesa Tedja
Cast : Jourdy Pranata, Jerome Kurnia, Willem Bevers
A Gift
Kado
Indonesia | 2018 | Drama | 15 minutes | 17+ | Indonesian with English subtitles
The story of Isfi who passionately prepares for Nita’s birthday. To set up the perfect gift for Nita at her bedroom, Isfi must wear a long skirt and a hijab.
Kisah Isfi yang bersemangat mempersiapkan ulang tahun Nita. Demi menyiapkan kado sempurna untuk Nita di kamarnya, Isfi harus menggunakan rok panjang dan hijab.
Accolades :
- Best Short Film, Orizzonti, Venice Film Festival 2018
- Best Director for South East Asian Short Film, Singapore International Film Festival 2018
- Short Film Grand Jury Prize nominee, Sundance Film Festival 2019
Director : Aditya Ahmad
Cast : Isfira Febiana, Anita Aqshary Thamrin
Maryam
Indonesia | 2014 | Drama | 17 minutes | 17+ | Indonesian with English subtitles
Maryam is a Muslim maid taking care of a mentally-disabled Christian man. When his whole family leaves him on Christmas night, Maryam takes him to church.
Maryam adalah seorang pembantu beragama Islam yang bertugas untuk menjaga seorang pria beragama Kristen. Saat keluarga pria tersebut meninggalkannya di malam natal, Maryam membawa sang majikan ke gereja.
Accolades :
- Best Short Film, Orizzonti, Venice Film Festival 2014
- Official Selection, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2014
- Official Selection, Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival 2015
Director : Sidi Saleh
Cast : Adrianto Sinaga, Rifky Sulaeman, Meyke Vierna
On the Origin of Fear
Indonesia | 2016 | Drama | 12 minutes | 17+ | Indonesian with English subtitles
Darto, a film dubber, is tasked to play the role of both torturer and victim of one of Indonesia’s most politically contentious movies.
Darto, seorang aktor sulih suara, ditugaskan untuk memerankan peran penyiksa dan korbannya dalam salah satu film Indonesia yang paling kontroversial secara politik.
Accolades :
- Official Selection, Orizzonti, Venice Film Festival 2016
- Best Short Film, Art Film Festival Slovakia 2017
- Special Mention for South East Asian Short Film, Singapore International Film Festival 2016
Director : Bayu Prihantoro Filemon
Cast : Pritt Timothy, Ernanta Kusuma
Schedule & Trailer
| Date | Time | Venue |
| 13 June 2025 | 16:00 WIB | IFI Surabaya |
| 14 June 2025 | 14:00 WIB | Studio Film Movieresto Prime Indonesia, Medan |
| 15 June 2025 | 14:00 WIB | IFI Yogyakarta |
| 19 June 2025 | 16:30 WIB | Kineforum (Teater Sjuman Djaya), Jakarta – Filmmakers in attendance |
| 20 June 2025 | 16:00 WIB | SAE Indonesia, Jakarta – Filmmakers in attendance |
| 21 June 2025 | 12:00 WIB | Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Jakarta – Filmmakers in attendance |
Circusboy
Zirkuskind
Germany | 2025 | Documentary | 86 minutes | G | German with English subtitles
For Santino, home is where his family is, literally. He comes from an extended circus family who travels around the country led by his grandfather, one of the last great circus directors. On his eleventh birthday, he is asked about his future role within the circus. The result is this feel-good, crowd-pleasing beautiful documentary filled with animation, acrobatic movements, and love.
Untuk Santino, keluarganya adalah rumahnya. Ia lahir di sebuah keluarga sirkus yang berkelana ke penjuru negeri, dipimpin oleh kakeknya yang adalah salah satu dari direktur sirkus hebat. Pada ulang tahun ke-11-nya, ia ditanya tentang perannya di dalam sirkus. Hasilnya adalah film dokumenter yang indah, dengan animasi, akrobat sirkus, dan cinta.
Accolades :
- Special Mention Prize for Best Film, Generation Kplus, Berlin International Film Festival 2025
- Official Selection, World Case, Hot Docs 2025
Director : Anna Koch, Julia Lemke
| Date | Time | Venue |
| 12 June 2024 | 19:00 WIB | CGV Starium Grand Indonesia, Jakarta (invitation only) |
| 14 June 2024 | 12:00 WIB | GoetheHaus, Jakarta |
| 18 June 2024 | 16.30 WIB | IFI Yogyakarta, Jakarta |
| 20 June 2014 | 18:30 WIB | Goethe-Institut, Bandung |