Cannes Grandeur Descends on Jakarta: Award-Winning Masterpieces to Headline World Cinema Festival 2025!

Jakarta is gearing up to host a cinematic spectacle that promises to captivate film enthusiasts from across the globe. The Jakarta World Cinema Festival (JWCF) 2025, an event dedicated to showcasing the finest in international filmmaking, has announced its spectacular opening and closing films, setting a high bar for the upcoming festival.

In a thrilling revelation, the festival will kick off and conclude with two of the most celebrated films from the recent Cannes Film Festival: Payal Kapadia's stunning 'All We Imagine As Light' and Jacques Audiard's vibrant 'Emilia Pérez'.

This bold programming choice immediately elevates JWCF 2025 to a must-attend event on the international film calendar, offering Indonesian audiences a direct portal to world-class cinema.

The honour of opening the festival on January 23, 2025, falls to Payal Kapadia's critically acclaimed 'All We Imagine As Light'.

This powerful drama, which previously made history by winning the prestigious Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, marks a significant moment for Indian cinema. Kapadia's film, lauded for its sensitive portrayal of human relationships and intricate storytelling, will undoubtedly set a contemplative yet profound tone for the nine-day cinematic journey.

Equally anticipated is the closing night feature, Jacques Audiard's groundbreaking musical crime comedy, 'Emilia Pérez'.

This unique and daring film, which earned the coveted Jury Prize and a collective Best Actress award for its phenomenal cast at Cannes, promises a fittingly grand and unforgettable conclusion to the festival on January 31, 2025. Audiard's distinctive vision and the film's innovative narrative structure are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Festival Director Shanty Harmayn expressed immense excitement about the selections, emphasizing JWCF's commitment to presenting a diverse array of films that stimulate discussion and broaden cinematic horizons.

Harmayn highlighted that these Cannes-winning films not only bring immense prestige but also perfectly embody the festival's mission to connect audiences with compelling narratives and innovative filmmaking from around the world. The festival aims to foster a deeper appreciation for film as an art form and a medium for cultural exchange.

Beyond these two titans, the JWCF 2025, running from January 23 to January 31, will unfold across various prominent venues in Jakarta, including Metropole XXI and CGV Grand Indonesia.

Attendees can look forward to a thoughtfully curated program featuring a wide spectrum of genres, themes, and voices from both established and emerging filmmakers. The festival serves as a vital platform for dialogue, discovery, and celebrating the universal language of cinema.

With such a stellar lineup of award-winning films framing its schedule, the Jakarta World Cinema Festival 2025 is poised to be an unmissable cultural event, reaffirming Jakarta's growing stature as a hub for international arts and culture.

Prepare for a week of unparalleled cinematic brilliance that promises to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought.