The 2025 Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) returns with renewed energy and spirit. Carrying the theme “Puspawarna Sinema Indonesia” or “The Spectrum of Indonesian Cinema”, the nation’s most prestigious film award is not merely an annual celebration, but also a reflection on seven decades of Indonesia’s cinematic journey since its inception in 1955.
The 2025 FFI Citra Awards Night will take place on November 20, 2025, at Teater Jakarta, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jakarta, featuring prominent figures such as Ahmad Mahendra, Director General of Cultural Development, Utilization, and Empowerment; Syaifullah Agam, Director of Film, Music, and Arts; and Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, Deputy Minister of Culture.
During a press conference held at the Ministry of Education building in Senayan, Jakarta (November 12), Giring emphasized that FFI is a moment to celebrate everyone in the film community, not only the winners.
“All of them deserve to be celebrated for pouring their love and dedication into the stories they believe in. Today we celebrate their triumphs, but beyond that, there are still thousands of other stories waiting for their turn to shine on the big screen,” Giring said.
A New Judging System: More Collaborative and Transparent
One of the most significant changes this year is the introduction of a more open and collaborative judging system.
At the same event, Budi Irawanto, Head of the FFI Jury Committee, revealed that the committee had received 794 film submissions by the deadline of August 31, 2025. There was a notable increase in the Film Criticism category in particular, with submissions doubling compared to last year.
To evaluate the hundreds of entries, FFI implemented a hybrid system combining quantitative and qualitative assessments.
“The judging process is not only quantitative, through voting or scoring, but also involves a qualitative component through the final jury council,” explained Budi.
This year, the Citra Academy Team, composed of previous Citra Award winners, took part in compiling a list of recommended films from the preliminary selection. Following that, 13 professional film associations helped determine nominations across 17 categories.
“The process has evolved this year. The initial selection was carried out by the Academy team, who provided recommendations, and then various professional associations participated in nominating films in several categories,” he added.
Animated Films Enter the Main Arena
Another major innovation this year is the inclusion of feature-length animated films in the Best Feature Film category, a historic milestone in the evolution of FFI.
The decision was made through collaboration with the Indonesian Animation Industry Association (AINAKI) and key stakeholders in the animation sector.
“What’s exciting this year is that feature-length animated films are now competing in the main feature film category,” said Budi.
Road to FFI: Bringing FFI Closer to Local Film Communities
Another exciting innovation this year comes from a shift in the Road to FFI program. While last year’s activities focused primarily on campus visits, this year FFI will embark on a journey across local film festivals throughout the regions.
Prilly Latuconsina, Head of Program for FFI 2025, explained that this approach aims to connect more closely with local film communities and to encourage young people to take an active role in the film industry.
“Last year, we toured various campuses. This year, we’re visiting local film festivals across different regions. We want to inspire young people to believe in their potential, to take part in the film industry, and to open new pathways for the next generation of Indonesian storytellers,” Prilly said.
The Antemas Award: The Return of a Box Office Honor
Another highlight is the revival of the Antemas Award, which honors films that have attracted the highest number of theatergoers.
“The Antemas Award serves as a measure of how far our film industry has progressed, and how well Indonesian films have managed to thrive in their own homeland,” explained Budi Irawanto.
This year, the film Jumbo took home the Antemas Award after surpassing 10 million viewers, beating Agak Laen (2024), which drew 9 million. Although the main FFI Awards Night will be held on November 20, Jumbo has already secured the title.
The Antemas Award was last presented in 1992 before being revived in 2024, and now stands as a symbol of the revitalization of Indonesia’s film industry, celebrating not only artistic excellence but also commercial achievement.
