Jakarta, May 6, 2025 — Indonesia once again demonstrates its presence on the international cinema stage by actively participating in the world’s largest film event, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Through the presence of the Indonesian Pavilion at Marche du Film, the world’s largest film market that is part of the festival, Indonesia is set to expand its global network and open opportunities for strategic collaborations to advance the domestic film industry.
Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, held a Media Briefing for the Cannes International Film Festival at CGV FX Sudirman, Senayan, to show appreciation for the presence of Indonesian Cinema at the international Cannes Film Festival 2025, which will take place from May 13 to May 24, 2025. “I extend my appreciation to all parties, especially filmmakers, directors, producers, actors, writers, animators, technicians, and other creative workers who wholeheartedly build cultural bridges between Indonesia and the world through cinema,” he said.
Minister Fadli Zon hopes that Indonesian films will receive high international recognition. “I hope that this presence is not just a regular one. We hope this will further strengthen inspiration, spirit, and support for the film industry, both internationally and domestically. Within the country, we have already received great recognition, with 81 million viewers for Indonesian films last year, surpassing the 40 million viewers for foreign films. We hope that our presence at Cannes will strengthen collaborations and attract many other international partners,” he explained.
At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival’s Marche du Film, Indonesian delegates will participate in various activities. Among them is the film Ikatan Darah, produced by Iko Uwais through Uwais Pictures, aiming to network and meet potential international partners. This film highlights silat and local stories.
Additionally, the animated film Jumbo, which has garnered more than 8 million viewers and become the third highest-grossing Indonesian film of all time, will also be meeting potential partners to market and distribute this pride of Indonesian animation to be shown in more countries.
Three Indonesian intellectual properties (IPs) in the form of comics will also be present at Marche du Film, brought by JAFF Market. These are Bandits of Batavia by Bryan Valenza (published by Beyondtopia), Locust (published by Studio Kosmik), and Jitu (published by Caravan Studio). These comics, which are set to be adapted into feature films, will participate in the Spotlight Asia program at Marche du Film after being selected at the JAFF Market 2024.
Reza Rahadian’s directorial debut Pangku will also participate in Marche du Film Cannes. Pangku will be presented at Cannes to meet potential collaboration partners, such as sales agents. “I am very happy because the support and attention from the Ministry of Culture for the progress of Indonesian filmmaking and culture is extraordinary. Thank you to all the Ministry of Culture staff who have supported us so we could attend, and I feel that the government’s presence is real for many Indonesian filmmakers,” said Reza Rahadian, who was also present.
The latest film from Palari Films, Monster Pabrik Rambut (international title Sleep No More), directed by Edwin, will also be featured at Marche du Film. Starring Rachel Amanda, Lutesha, Iqbaal Ramadhan, and Sal Priadi, this film is a co-production between Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, and Germany. At Marche du Film, Sleep No More will be represented by ShowBox as their sales agent. ShowBox also represents the South Korean blockbuster horror film Exhuma.
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival will also mark the return of legendary Indonesian actress Christine Hakim. Previously, the film she starred in, Tjoet Nja’ Dhien (1989), became the first Indonesian film to be screened at the festival. Now, Christine Hakim returns to Cannes in her debut as a producer for the film The Mourning Journey, directed by Garin Nugroho and starring Reza Rahadian. The Mourning Journey will seek collaboration partners at Marche du Film.
Producer and director Razka Robby Ertanto is also one of the producers selected to participate in the Producers Network program at Marche du Film. In this program, Razka will present his latest film project about the legendary Indonesian opera singer Rose Pandanwangi, who was also the wife of painter S. Sudjojono. Razka has previously produced and directed films such as Midnight in Bali (2025), Yohanna (2024), and Ave Maryam (2018).
Producer Yulia Evina Bhara, who was one of the five Indonesian producers in last year’s Producers Network program, will also return to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. However, this time she will be involved as a jury member for the Semaine de La Critique (Critics Week) at Cannes. Yulia will join jurors Jihane Bougrine, Josee Deshaies, Daniel Kaluuya, and Jury President Rodrigo Sorogoyen. “There is a lot of potential ahead, and as filmmakers, we are always ready to be involved when called upon. Hopefully, this synergy will result in something greater,” Yulia said.
The co-production film Renoir by KawanKawan Media, directed by Japanese director Chie Hayakawa (Plan 75), co-produced by Yulia Evina Bhara and Amerta Kusuma, has been selected for the main competition at Cannes this year. Renoir is a co-production between Japan, Indonesia, France, the Philippines, and Singapore.
At the end of the event, Minister Fadli Zon reiterated that Indonesia’s presence at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival is a significant achievement. “I want to congratulate the Indonesian filmmakers who will represent Indonesia’s culture. This achievement marks a new milestone for Indonesian cinema to continue progressing and receiving international recognition in line with our constitution’s mandate in Article 32, Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution, which states that the nation must advance Indonesia’s national culture in the world’s civilization,” he concluded.
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