Autosave, a 15-minute-30-second Indonesian short film, has been officially selected for the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) 2026. It premiered on Sunday, 12 July 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EDT (UTC−4) at the Walter Reade Theater, Film at Lincoln Center.
The film shares the festival lineup with Colony, directed by Yeon Sang-ho, as the opening film, and Hope, directed by Na Hong-jin, as the centerpiece film. Both titles recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Hope also became the first Korean film in four years to compete for the Palme d'Or.
Autosave was directed by Imanuel Bolaman from Ambon, Maluku. M. Khaerun Zuhry Radjilun from Ternate, North Maluku, served as the executive producer.
The film was produced by ADEPTLAB, with Martin Simbolon as producer. It was screened as part of the Shorts Program: Lost & Found, alongside selected short films from various countries.
The Same Rigorous Selection for Short Films
The New York Asian Film Festival is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious Asian film festivals in North America. For more than two decades, it has served as a major platform for introducing outstanding Asian cinema to international audiences.
In its 25th edition, the festival features a wide range of acclaimed films by Asian filmmakers. Autosave earned its place in the Official Selection through a competitive international selection and curation process. The short film category was equally competitive, with only a limited number of slots available among hundreds of submissions from across Asia.
The festival runs from 10 to 26 July 2026. Screenings take place at several prominent venues across New York, including Film at Lincoln Center, SVA Theatre, IFC Center, Anthology Film Archives, and the Korean Cultural Center New York.
The festival will close with the Chinese film Dear You. The lineup brings together films from Korea, China, Indonesia, and other Asian countries in the same edition.
The Story Behind Autosave
Autosave is a narrative short film that explores themes of loss, memory, the bond between a father and son, and the courage to move forward. The story follows Bintang, a 19-year-old who lost his father when he was 11 years old.
Years later, Bintang reopens a console game that he and his father used to play together but never finished. Through the game, he reconnects with memories of the past. He gradually processes his grief and finds the courage to make peace with himself.
The film stars Dru Prawiro Sasono as the teenage Bintang, Den Bagus Sasono as young Bintang, Dwi Sasono as the father, and Litany Audrey Nainggolan as the mother.
Their performances add emotional depth to the film's portrayal of family relationships, loss, and childhood memories. The film also reflects ADEPTLAB's commitment to telling stories rooted in human experiences through a strong and emotionally driven cinematic approach.
A Delegation from Eastern Indonesia
Four members of the ADEPTLAB team are scheduled to attend the world premiere of Autosave in New York. They are director Imanuel Bolaman, executive producer M. Khaerun Zuhry Radjilun, lead actor Dru Prawiro Sasono, and cinematographer Wijanara Dyota.
Their participation places two filmmakers from Ambon and Ternate alongside some of Asia's most prominent cinema figures at the same festival. This is a rare achievement for a short film from Eastern Indonesia at an international festival of NYAFF's stature.
In its official statement, ADEPTLAB said it hopes to introduce a new perspective on Indonesian cinema to global audiences. The studio also aims to create greater opportunities for Indonesian filmmakers, including those from Eastern Indonesia, to participate and contribute to the global conversation on cinema.
