The French Embassy’s Institut français d’Indonésie (IFI) has launched the second edition of the Indonesia-France Film Lab, running Nov. 27 through Dec. 1 in Yogyakarta.

The initiative, presented as Indonesia France Film Lab X MTN Lab, takes place within the JAFF Market framework during the 27th Festival Sinema Prancis. The program is partnering with Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture under the Manajemen Talenta Nasional program, the Association of Indonesian Film Producers (APROFI), and the Asian Film Alliance Network (AFAN).

Six emerging Indonesian director-producer teams developing their first or second features have been selected for the lab, which receives additional support from France’s Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC) and La Fémis film school.

The program comprises two components: a scriptwriting workshop led by French script consultant Eric Collins from La Fémis, and an industry lab featuring five French film professionals. The roster includes Thomas Rosso, general coordinator of La Semaine de la Critique at Cannes; producers 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” from 3 Pulau Pictures, Maarij Reka’s “The Boy with His Mother’s Statue” from Veneirs Films, and Daphne’s “The First Journey of Grief” from Aztec Production. Also chosen were Devina Sofiyanti’s “The Heirlooms” from Qun Films, Fanny Chotimah’s “The Last Dance” from Kembang Gula, and Trinisha Aksa’s “What to Wear for My Own Funeral” from Ujung Pandang Studios.

Looking ahead to 2026, several lab projects will be presented at a CNC-organized co-production meeting featuring Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, with 15 selected projects total. Michel Plazanet, deputy director for European and international affairs at CNC, is participating in this year’s lab, following CNC president Gaëtan Bruel’s Jakarta visit in July.

La Semaine de la Critique has also announced Next Step Studio Indonesia, a short film co-creation program for emerging Indonesian directors launching in May 2026.

“Building on the joint cultural strategy between France and Indonesia adopted by our two Presidents last May in Borobudur, the Indonesia-France Film Lab highlights our joint commitment to supporting emerging Indonesian filmmakers, who represent the next generation of talents – ‘the Indonesian new wave.’ It is co-organised and co-funded by the Indonesian ministry of Culture, the French Embassy and Aprofi. With its strengthened curriculum and the strong institutional support of the French National Center for Cinema (CNC) and La Fémis, considered as one of the world’s leading film schools, the Lab has become an important platform for fostering new co-production opportunities,” said Fabien Penone, French ambassador to Indonesia, Timor Leste and ASEAN.

“For JAFF Market, the presence of this lab reinforces our mission to become a true meeting point between Indonesian talent and the global film community. It deepens our role as a catalyst – connecting filmmakers, producers, and institutions while creating long-term creative pathways. I see the Indonesia-France Film Lab lab as one of the most strategic collaborations we’ve built. It provides Indonesian filmmakers with direct, consistent access to mentors, methodologies, and artistic approaches that have shaped some of the world’s most influential cinema,” added Gita Fara, head of program for JAFF Market.

“The Indonesia-France Lab is a wonderful platform that offers Indonesian filmmakers the opportunity to develop strong scripts, fostering potential for international collaboration and bringing Indonesian projects to the global market,” said Edwin Nazir, chairman of APROFI.

Selected Projects:

“A Mother’s Niqab” Director: M. Dhaffa Attoriq Producer: Stephanie Ong Production Company: 3 Pulau Pictures

“The Boy With His Mother’s Statue” Director: Maarij Reka Producer: Mozad Irvany Production Company: Veneirs Films

“The First Journey of Grief” Director: Daphne Producer: Alvin Wijaya Production Company: Aztec Production

“The Heirlooms” Writer/Director: Devina Sofiyanti Co-Writer: Ahmad Yuniardi Producer: Giovanni Rahmadeva Production Company: Qun Films

“The Last Dance” Director/Producer: Fanny Chotimah Writer: Adimas Immanuel Production Company: Kembang Gula

“What to Wear for My Own Funeral” Director: Trinisha Aksa Writer: Haediqal Pawennei Producers: Haediqal Pawennei, Rania Sulfa Production Company: Ujung Pandang Studios