The 27th Festival Sinema Prancis opened in Jakarta on November 21, marking the latest chapter in over a quarter-century of French-Indonesian cultural exchange. From November 21 to December 2, the festival presented 20 French films across 14 cities – from Jakarta and Bandung to Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Denpasar and beyond. The 2025 edition coincided with the 75th anniversary of Indonesia–France diplomatic relations and reflected the two governments’ push to strengthen cultural ties. As the French Embassy and Institut français d’Indonésie (IFI) stated, cinema has become a pillar of their Borobudur Declaration–era creative industry partnership, underscoring film’s role as a bridge between the nations.
The opening ceremony set the tone with a nationwide premiere. In Jakarta, the embassy screened Martin Bourboulon’s thriller 13 Days, 13 Nights on November 21, with the film debuting simultaneously in eight cities including Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Denpasar and Makassar. The story – about a French embassy evacuation amid the fall of Kabul – attracted large audiences eager for high-end French cinema. The next night, IFI hosted director Gilles de Maistre in person for Moon the Panda, a family adventure, followed by a Q&A about the film’s environmental themes.
Festival Highlights
Throughout the 12-day festival, audiences enjoyed a curated mix of new wave tributes, contemporary hits and Cannes favorites. On November 23, IFI Jakarta staged a “Nouvelle Vague Afternoon,” screening Richard Linklater’s homage Nouvelle Vague alongside Godard’s classic Breathless, followed by a discussion led by the Jakarta Cinema Club. This free event celebrated the spirit of the 1960s French New Wave; special screenings of Godard’s Contempt and Truffaut’s The 400 Blows were also held in multiple cities, reminding audiences of the movement that revolutionized modern cinema.
On November 24, Jakarta turned to the darker side of French film with the Indonesian premiere of Sébastien Vaniček’s horror thriller Vermines (English title Infested). The screening at IFI Thamrin was followed by a lively onstage discussion with Indonesian director Joko Anwar, who explored the craft of horror filmmaking and how French and Indonesian fears differ. The horror event in Jakarta was among the festival’s most-talked-about nights.
In addition to these programs, the lineup included two Cannes-related premieres. Amélie Bonnin’s Partir un jour (Leave One Day), the opening film of Cannes 2025, was screened mid-festival. The festival concluded on December 2 with Cédric Klapisch’s La Venue de l’avenir (Colors of Time), a sweeping historical adventure set in 19th-century Paris. The closing night screening was held at IFI Jakarta and other French cultural centers. According to IFI, Colors of Timeembodied the “vitality and diversity” of contemporary French cinema, from bold new voices to legendary auteurs.
French–Indonesian Collaboration
Cultural officials on both sides emphasized that the festival was more than entertainment – it was a form of “creative diplomacy.” French Ambassador Fabien Penone, accredited to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN, highlighted cinema’s unifying power. Through events like the Indonesia–France Film Lab (launched at the Yogyakarta Film Market), he said, “we want to strengthen Indonesian cinema, open coproduction opportunities, and bring young talents together with French mentors.”
Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, echoed that sentiment, saying the France–Indonesia film partnership “shows that cinema is not only entertainment but also a medium of creative diplomacy,” capable of inspiring international collaboration and new generations of artists.
IFI cultural attaché Carol Meyer pointed to the festival’s scale as proof of its impact: by 2024, Sinema Prancis had reached six islands and 14 cities, with 52 screening venues – the widest spread in its history. Marissa Anita, a leading Indonesian actress and the festival’s ambassador, lauded the program for introducing Indonesian audiences to French storytelling and filmmakers. Director Joko Anwar also helped bridge cultures onstage at several screenings.
Festival by the Numbers
- Key Films: The 20 featured films ranged from thrillers and dramas to animated shorts. Highlights included 13 Days, 13 Nights and Moon the Panda (festival openers), horror standout Infested, classics like Breathless, Contemptand The 400 Blows, Cannes selections Leave One Day and Colors of Time, and the French New Wave retrospective Nouvelle Vague.
- Host Cities: Screenings were held in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, Medan, and Ambon, among others – reflecting a commitment to reach broad and diverse audiences.
- Years & Goals: This 2025 edition marked the 27th annual Festival Sinema Prancis in Indonesia. The festival’s stated objective is to reinforce Indonesia–France cultural diplomacy through cinema, nurturing appreciation for French culture in Southeast Asia and building creative partnerships.
Audience Response
Organizers reported that enthusiasm for French cinema remained high. In previous years, the festival had set attendance records – with one Semarang screening in 2024 drawing over 700 viewers – and 2025 saw similar crowd sizes. With dozens of screenings at cinemas and cultural centers, total attendance likely reached tens of thousands. The festival was free to the public, and in Makassar, the city government supported open-air screenings to ensure wider access.
As one filmgoer in Yogyakarta remarked after a screening of Colors of Time, “French films show us something different – they’re thoughtful, emotional, and unpredictable. I hope we keep getting access to cinema like this.”
Cultural Bridge to Southeast Asia
By bringing French cinema to Indonesia and engaging local audiences, the festival reinforced the role of film as a cultural bridge between France and Southeast Asia. It complements other initiatives, such as joint film labs, co-production forums, and mentorship programs under the broader Borobudur Declaration. With each edition, Sinema Prancis strengthens mutual understanding: young Indonesians discover French art and history through film, while French organizers gain insight into Indonesian perspectives and creativity.
The 2025 Festival Sinema Prancis left audiences across Indonesia with fresh cinematic experiences – and reaffirmed cinema’s enduring power to connect cultures through storytelling.
