‘Becoming Human’ Wins Top Prize at Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival, ‘Better Off Dead’ Sweeps Indonesian Screen Awards

Key Highlights

• “Captivating us with lyrical visual poetry and a tender meditation on memory, loss, and the fragile spaces that hold our shared stories, this film becomes a love letter to cinema itself,” the jury said in awarding the Golden Hanoman to “Becoming Human,” which debuted at Venice.
• The main competition jury comprised Eric Khoo, Suryana Paramita and Tumpal Tampubolon.
• Related Stories Box Office: 'Zootopia 2' Leads the Pack With $38.5 Million on Black Friday Korea Box Office: ‘Zootopia 2’ Commands Nearly 80% of Market on Debut Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s Cannes winner “A Useful Ghost” won the Silver Hanoman, with the jury praising its “audacious blend of absurd humor, emotional depth, and sharp social insight.” Antoinette Jadaone’s “Sunshine” received a special jury mention for its “poignant and unflinching commitment to standing beside women whose lives are circumscribed by state controls and societal judgment.” Popular on Variety In the Indonesian Screen Awards, Kristo Immanuel’s “Better Off Dead/Tinggal Meninggal” dominated with five wins including best film, best director and best screenplay (co-written with Jessica Tjiu).
• Omara Esteghlal won best performance for his work in the film, while Afiqa Kirana also received best performance honors for “The Period of Her.” The festival drew more than 30,000 visitors over eight days, marking its largest and most significant edition to date.
• The event presented 227 films from 43 countries, including 27 world premieres and 87 Indonesian premieres, alongside 47 discussions, forums and public lectures.