11th Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival Presents Movies from Asia-Pacific with “ISLANDSCAPE”
Why “ISLANDSCAPE” is chosen as the main theme of the eleventh celebration of Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) 2016? Through a press conference held on November 17th, the committee explained that Island symbolizes openness that attracts various interaction. It does not only emphasize the various artistic terms and culture representation in Asia’s cinema, but also acts as a platform to exchange influence and information of Asia’s cinematic culture. “ISLANDSCAPE” signifies the festival’s broadening cinematic feature which now includes Pacific region. JAFF 2016 will be held from November 28th to December 3rd 2016 in three main locations in Yogyakarta which are Empire XXI, Taman Budaya Yogyakarta and Grhtama Pustaka Yogyakarta. Per usual, the selected movies in JAFF will have a same underlying theme that will later be screened and discussed in a public lecture.
This year’s JAFF will screen 138 movie choices from total 309 movies which were submitted and drafted, it will include 27 countries participants from the previously 23 countries. Two films that will have the honor to open and close the festival come from Indonesia and Kirgiztan. “Salawaku” that is made by Indonesian female director, Pritagita Arianegara, is chosen as the opener since it reflects the theme of “ISLANDSCAPE” precisely. JAFF Director, Budi Irawanto, went further by saying that the movie puts archipelago as the creative inspiration behind it and it manages to represent islands as space to connect those who have various cultural backgrounds. Then, “Travelling With Bomb” by Kirgiztan’s filmmaker Nurlan Abdykadyrov is chosen to close the festival.
The regular programs of JAFF will once again present, like Asian Feature, Light of Asia, The Faces of Indonesian Cinema Today, Asian Doc and Layar Komunitas. Those programs feature long and short movies from Asia, Indonesia, as well as documentaries and films made by movie communities across the country. Other than that, special features of JAFF 2016 is included in ISLANDSCAPE: Asian Pacific Films, which will present Korean short movies on “Cuts of Busan Short 2016”, long fiction, documentary and experimental movies from Japan on “Connect Japan”, Australian films on “(O)Zeeing The Neighbour”, a focus feature movies made by Djenar Maesa Ayu on “Focus On Djenar Maesa Ayu” and short movies screening by Yogyakarta’s filmmakers on “DIY Short 2016”. There will also be a special tribute for late Iranian filmmaker, Abbas Kiarostami which includes the screenings of his latest movie titled “Take Me Home” and a documentary of the legendary director called “76 Minutes”.
Four fringe (additional) programs are going to be held simultaneously with the festival which are Open Air Cinema, Forum Komunitas, Public Lecture and Workshop. Open Air Cinema will be held at 3 spots in Yogyakarta which are Tebing Breksi, Plasa Ngasem, and Amphiteater Grhatama Pustaka. Public Lecture and Workshop will take the audience to participate in some thought provoking discussions about Asia-Pacific movies development. Overall, the festival that is supported by BEKRAF, Asia Center Japan Foundation, Korean Cultural Center, Australian Embassy and Culture Department of Special Region of Yogyakarta aims to not only bring the audience to be enlightened about Asia-Pacific geography by watching the movies, but also it has a purpose to give you an alternative perspective after understanding the various social-cultural landscape that the movies have to offer. Enjoy the festival and explore ISLANDSCAPE! Head to JAFF Official Website for the complete schedule and information.