‘Becoming Human’ Takes Home Top Prize at Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival, ‘Better Off Dead’ Dominates Indonesian Screen Awards

Polen Lys film Becoming Human secured the Golden Hanoman, the highest honor at the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF), which wrapped its 20th anniversary edition in Yogyakarta on December 6. The jury praised the film for its poetic imagery and heartfelt exploration of memory, loss, and the delicate spaces where collective stories take shape. The title premiered earlier at the Venice Film Festival.

The main competition jury consisted of Eric Khoo, Suryana Paramita, and Tumpal Tampubolon.

Ratchapoom Boonbunchachokes Cannes-recognized A Useful Ghost earned the Silver Hanoman for its bold mix of absurd humor, emotional intensity, and sharp social commentary. A special jury mention was awarded to Antoinette Jadaones Sunshine for its powerful and uncompromising portrayal of women confronting restrictive societal and state imposed boundaries.

At the Indonesian Screen Awards, Kristo Immanuels Better Off Dead/Tinggal Meninggal dominated with five wins, including best film, best director, and best screenplay, the latter co-written with Jessica Tjiu. Omara Esteghlal won best performance for his role in the film, while Afiqa Kirana received best performance recognition for The Period of Her.

The festival welcomed over 30,000 attendees during its eight-day run, its largest turnout to date. This years program showcased 227 films from 43 countries, featuring 27 world premieres and 87 Indonesian premieres, along with a wide range of discussions, forums, and public lectures.

Festival director Ifa Isfansyah emphasized the growing challenges facing the film industry, particularly in sustaining the film ecosystem amid rapid shifts in media and digital landscapes. He also highlighted the increasing urgency of film preservation efforts, noting that international partners have expressed interest in collaborating on archiving initiatives.

JAFF continued to support emerging talent with works from 34 debut filmmakers and 63 women directors featured. A total of 78 partners and collaborators supported the event.

Program director Alexander Matius noted the highly engaged audiences, with many Q&A sessions lasting late into the night. Executive director Ajish Dibyo underscored the festivals environmental initiatives, including waste management efforts that processed more than 1,500 kilograms of waste, and celebrated the growing involvement of younger organizers.

Whammy Alcazarens Water Sports claimed both the Blencong Award and the Students Award for its inventive approach to climate-related themes. Becoming Human also received the Netpac Award, while Sunshine earned the Geber Award. The festivals industry platform, JAFF Market, concluded earlier in the week.

JAFF 2025 Winners

Main Competition

• Golden Hanoman: Becoming Human (Polen Ly)
• Silver Hanoman: A Useful Ghost (Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke)
• Jury Special Mention: Sunshine (Antoinette Jadaone)

Blencong Award

• Winner: Water Sports (Whammy Alcazaren)
• Special Mention Light of Asia: Hyena (Altay Ulan Yang)

Indonesian Screen Awards

• Best Film: Better Off Dead/Tinggal Meninggal (Kristo Immanuel)
• Best Director: Kristo Immanuel (Better Off Dead/Tinggal Meninggal)
• Best Screenplay: Kristo Immanuel & Jessica Tjiu (Better Off Dead/Tinggal Meninggal)
• Best Cinematography: Vera Lestafa (Dopamine)
• Best Performance: Omara Esteghlal (Better Off Dead/Tinggal Meninggal), Afiqa Kirana (The Period of Her)
• Best Editing: Ryan Purwoko (Better Off Dead/Tinggal Meninggal)
• Best Production Design: Ahmad Zulkarnaen & Wahyu Efata (Ikatan Darah)
• Best Music: Anto Hoed, Melly Goeslaw (Rangga & Cinta)
• Best Sound Design: Pramudya Adhy Wardhana, Ridho Fachri, Renaldy Lomo, Alexandrie Dolly (The Period of Her)
• Best Poster: Evan Wijaya & Jozz Felix (Sore: A Wife From the Future/Sore: Istri Dari Masa Depan)

Netpac Award

• Becoming Human (Polen Ly)

Geber Award

• Sunshine (Antoinette Jadaone)

Students Award

• Water Sports (Whammy Alcazaren)

Author: Noah Whitman