The Indonesian-French Institute (IFI) of the French Embassy has launched the second edition of the Indonesian-French Film Lab, which will be held from November 27th to December 1st in Yogyakarta.
The initiative will be announced as Indonesia France Film Lab X MTN Lab and will take place within the framework of the JAFF Market during the 27th Festival Cinema Plansis. The program is in partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, the Association of Indonesian Film Producers (APROFI) and the Asian Film Alliance Network (AFAN) under the Managemen Talent National Program.
The lab has selected teams of six emerging Indonesian directors and producers who are developing their first or second feature, with additional support from France’s Center National de la Cine et Animé (CNC) and La Fémis Film School.
The program consists of two components: a scriptwriting workshop led by French script consultant Eric Collins of La Femi, and an industry lab with five French film experts. The roster includes Thomas Rosso, general coordinator of La Semaine de la Critique in Cannes; Producers are Xénia Maingot (Eaux Vives Productions), Jérémie Palanque (Woooz Pictures), Christophe Bruncher (Ici et Là Productions), and Marine Arrighi de Casanova (Apsara Films).
Selected projects include M. Dhaffa Attoriq’s “A Mother’s Niqab” for 3 Pulau Pictures, Maarij Reka’s “The Boy with His Mother’s Statue” for Veneirs Films, and Daphne’s “The First Journey of Grief” for Aztec Production. Also selected were “The Heirlooms” directed by Devina Sofiyanti from Qun Films, “The Last Dance” directed by Fanny Chotimah from Kembang Gula, and “What to Wear for My Own Funeral” directed by Trinisha Aksa from Ujung Pandang Studios.
Looking ahead to 2026, several lab projects will be presented at a co-production conference hosted by CNC featuring Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, with a total of 15 projects expected to be selected. Michel Plazanet, CNC’s Deputy Director for European and International Affairs, is joining this year’s lab following CNC President Gaetan Bruel’s visit to Jakarta in July.
La Semaine de la Critique also announced Next Step Studio India, a short film co-production program for emerging Indonesian directors starting in May 2026.
“Based on the France-Indonesia joint cultural strategy adopted by the presidents of both countries in Borobudur last May, the Indonesia-France Film Lab highlights the two countries’ joint commitment to supporting the next generation of talent, emerging Indonesian filmmakers who represent the ‘Indonesian New Wave’. The event is co-organized and co-funded by the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, the French Embassy and Aprofi. “With an enhanced curriculum and strong institutional support from the French National Center for Cinema (CNC) and La Fémis, considered one of the world’s leading film schools, the Lab has become an important platform to foster new co-production opportunities,” said Fabien Penone, French Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN.
“For JAFF Market, the presence of this lab strengthens our mission to be a genuine meeting place between Indonesian talent and the global film community. This lab deepens our role as a catalyst that connects filmmakers, producers and institutions and creates long-term creative pathways. “We believe this is one of the most strategic collaborations that we have created. It provides Indonesian filmmakers with direct and consistent access to the mentors, methodologies and artistic approaches that have formed some of the most influential films in the world,” added Gita Fara, Head of Programs at JAFF Market.
“The Indonesia-France Lab is a great platform that provides Indonesian filmmakers with the opportunity to develop strong scripts, foster potential for international collaboration and bring Indonesian projects to the global market,” said APROFI Chairman Edwin Nazir.
Selected project:
“A Mother’s Niqab” Director: M. Dafa Atrik Producer: Stephanie Ong Production Company: 3 Pulau Pictures
“The Boy with His Mother’s Image” Director: Maarij Rekha Producer: Mozad Irvani Production Company: Veneirs Films
“The First Journey of Sorrow” Director: Daphne Producer: Alvin Wijaya Production Company: Aztec Production
“The Heirlooms” Writer/Director: Devina Sofiyanti Co-writer: Ahmad Uniardi Producer: Giovanni Rahmadeva Production Company: Qun Films
“The Last Dance” Director/Producer: Fanny Chotima Screenplay: Adimas Immanuel Production Company: Kembang Gula
“What to wear to your funeral” Director: Trinisha Aksa Screenplay: Heidikal Pawenei Producer: Heidikal Pawenei, Rania Sarfa Production company: Ujung Pandan Studio
