Boo Junfeng’s “Trinity” and Sidharta Tata’s “Slaughterground” are among 11 feature projects picked for JAFF Future Project (JFP), the film development strand of Indonesia’s JAFF Market, which has also chosen 10 intellectual properties for its adaptation-focused JAFF IP Connection (JIPCon) program.
The third edition of JAFF Market, powered by Amar Bank, will run Nov. 28–30 at the Jogja Expo Center in Yogyakarta, during the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (Nov. 28–Dec. 5). One of the film projects comes from Australia through a partnership with the Adelaide Film Festival and mylab, while two Korean IPs join via a tie-up with the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM).
“Trinity” (original title “Tsai Kuang Chih Chien”) is one of two works in progress in the selection and lists the widest spread of production countries: Taiwan, France, Singapore, Poland, Greece, Germany, Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines. Peanut Pictures is the production company, with Raymond Phathanavirangoon, Sophie Erbs, Aileen Li, Huang Junxiang and Boo producing.
The other work in progress is Tata’s “Slaughterground” (“Hujan Kematian”), produced by Ajish Dibyo, Pramudya Andika, Annisa Adjam and Sunny Gho for Aftersun Creative. The remaining nine projects are in development.
Among them is M. Raihan Halim’s Singapore project “The Smuggler,” produced by Asra Aman for Papahan Films. Two Indonesian women directors are at work on what will be their first features: Ninndi Raras with “A Quiet Sunshine” (“Perempuan di Pulau Lea”), produced by Giovanni Rahmadeva and Siera Tamihardja for QUN Films, and Dian Tamara with “Somewhere Between” (“Titik Temu”), from Gambar Gerak and Pancaran Sinema with Arya Ibrahim and Moch. As’ad Azwin producing.
Also from Indonesia are Dhiwangkara Seta’s “αLPα (Absence),” from Lune Features; Timoteus Anggawan Kusno’s “Orphaned Atlas” (“Sampar”), an Indonesia, France and Netherlands project from Forka Films produced by Ifa Isfansyah and Agustiya Herdwiyanto; and Rein Maychaelson’s “Primal,” a Studio Rumah Kedua project listing Indonesia, Singapore and South Korea as production countries. Yudhatama Fajar Nugroho’s “Pupus: The Orchid of Merapi” (“Pupus: Anggrek Merapi”) from Manimonki Studio is the only animated title. Glenn Barit’s “Luz and Flor” (“Luzonensis and Floresiensis”), produced by Kristine De Leon and Tanveer Hossain for Katalog, represents the Philippines.
Taken together, the films deal with family, faith, memory, identity and migration, in forms that range from close-quarters drama to genre work.
The Australian entry is Rosie Lourde’s “Wreck and Ruin,” which Lourde is producing with Katharine McPhee for In Cahoots Creations.
“Our partnership with JAFF Market and mylab gives Australian filmmakers an opportunity to engage with the region’s creative and production networks while their projects are still taking shape,” said Mat Kesting, CEO and creative director of the Adelaide Film Festival. “We want these exchanges to build a stronger foundation for collaboration, connecting teams with partners who can contribute to development, financing and the international journey of their films.”
Lorna Tee, founder of mylab, said international collaboration starts with understanding a filmmaker’s vision and what each partner can bring. “Through our collaboration with JAFF Market and Adelaide Film Festival, we want to connect Australian filmmaking teams with producers in Indonesia and across Asia, building relationships that can shape their films and continue beyond the market,” she said.
On the IP side, six of the 10 selections are Indonesian. They are “Komarong,” represented by Gilang Bhagaskara; the board game “Mantra,” represented by Sigit Ezra Prayoga; the comics “Darah di Atas Salju” (“Blood Upon the Snow”), represented by Dedy, “Lao Sam 1892,” represented by Toni Masdiono, and “Yuuko’s Gloomy Days,” represented by Anwita Citriya; and the novel “Hati-Hati Ada Dua Hati,” represented by Ario Tamat.
The selection also takes in two IPs from Hong Kong and Taiwan: the comic “Disposable Dolly,” represented by Ben Liu, and the book “Cat Rental Company,” represented by Maka (Zhou Lishu). The ACFM pair are the book “My Upstairs Neighbors,” represented by Clayhouse Inc., and webtoon “Friend Request,” represented by Ryoung Studio.
Both slates will also feed into JAFF Market’s first Producers Exchange, which will set up meetings between participating producers and the JFP teams, JIPCon representatives, exhibitors and other delegates.
“We want producers to come to JAFF Market knowing they can discover films taking shape and original IP with potential for the screen,” said Linda Gozali, market director of JAFF Market. “JFP and JIPCon bring filmmakers and IP representatives into conversation with partners who can contribute creatively, help structure financing and connect stories with audiences. Our ambition is to turn that discovery into lasting collaboration and strengthen Indonesia’s role as a creative and production partner.”
The Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival was founded in 2006.