Home›Our Journey
2014 – 2026

Our Journey

Over a decade of bridging cultures, celebrating stories, and putting Indonesian cinema on the global map.

2026
Festival
LAIFF 2026 – Coming Into Focus

LAIFF 2026

LAIFF 2026 is coming. Save the date for November 21, 2026 as Los Angeles Indonesian Film Festival returns with a new chapter — Coming Into Focus.

2025
Special Screening
LAIFF 2025 – Spotlighting Indonesia's Oscar Contenders

Special Screening

In 2025, LAIFF collaborated with Cerita Films and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Los Angeles to present a special screening program featuring Sore, Daly City, and Little Rebels Cinema Club—all Indonesian films officially submitted for consideration for the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026). The screenings were followed by discussions with Sore lead actor Sheila Dara, producer Suryana Paramita, and director Yandy Laurens, alongside the cast of Daly City and the director of Little Rebels Cinema Club. Driven by strong audience enthusiasm, the event sold out within days, highlighting LAIFF's growing role as a platform for Indonesian cinema on the international stage.

Selected Films
  • Sore: A Wife From The Future2025 · dir. Yandy Laurens
  • Daly City
  • Little Rebels Cinema Club
Discussions & Panels
  • Q&A with the FilmmakersSheila Dara (Sore — lead actor), Suryana Paramita (Sore — producer), Yandy Laurens (Sore — director)
2024
Festival
LAIFF 2024 – Celebrating 10 Years of LAIFF

LAIFF 2024

LAIFF celebrated its 10th anniversary with the theme The Rise of Indonesian Horror, highlighting the growing global appeal of Indonesian horror cinema. The festival premiered two Indonesian horror feature films in the United States, and collaborated with the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) and Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy—now the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia—to curate a selection of Indonesian short films.

Selected Films
  • Kuasa Gelap
  • Sekawan Limo
  • Shallot Salad
  • Storyboard Suli (Suli Storyboard)
  • Bising (Chorus Of The Wounded Birds)
  • Kelompok Penerbang Roh (Arabic Mantra)
  • Rapsodi: Fragments Of Happiness
  • Pepadu
  • Mula Ni Hangoluon (Mulanya Kehidupan)
  • Anak Danau
  • Potret Kerukunan Antar Etnis Di Indonesia: Tradisi Bakar Tongkang Bagansiapiapi Provinsi Riau
  • Tumatenden
  • Halo, Oma
  • 714
  • Icing On Her Cake
  • Thole (Boy)
  • Daly City
  • Home
  • Full Service
Discussions & Panels
  • Q&A with Indonesian FilmmakersAldo Wijaya (Director: Halo, Oma), Alexander Chard (Director: 714), Cedric Christophorus (Director: Icing on Her Cake), Edo Natasha (Director: Thole), Kaidy Kuna (Actor: Daly City), Kanya Iwana (Director: Home), Soma Helmi (Director: Full Service)
2023
Special Screening
LAIFF 2023 – A Triumphant Return

Special Screening "Basri & Salma In A Never-Ending Comedy"

A celebrated special screening marked the festival's in-person return at The Deco Building on Wilshire Boulevard, reigniting the LAIFF community with a special presentation of Basri & Salma In A Never-Ending Comedy.

Selected Films
  • Basri & Salma In A Never-Ending Comedy
Discussions & Panels
  • Q&A with Khozy RizalKhozy Rizal (Director)
2020
Festival
LAIFF 2020 – Adapting in Challenging Times

LAIFF 2020

Held entirely online during the pandemic, LAIFF 2020 kept Indonesian cinema in front of global audiences. The virtual edition presented the feature film "Crazy Awesome Teachers" — about a man forced into a teaching job who must team up with a ragtag bunch to recover the staff's stolen salary from a gangster — alongside a series of live-streamed industry panel discussions on the future of filmmaking in the new normal.

Selected Films
  • Crazy Awesome Teachers
Discussions & Panels
  • The Future of Daily Life on Movie SetsJoko Anwar — Film Director, Writer & Actor, Ernest Prakasa — Film Director, Writer, Stand-up Comedian & Actor, Riri Riza — Film Director/Writer, Miles Film, Susanti Dewi — Producer, Head of IDN Pictures, Scott Sakamoto — Story and Community Outreach & Production Supervisor, Walt Disney Animation Studio
  • Innovative Movie Marketing and Promotion Strategies in the New NormalManoj Punjabi — CEO, MD Pictures, Ivan Makhsara — Content Manager, Poplicist Publicist, Winston Utomo — Founder & CEO, IDN Media, Akira Mizuta Lippit — Vice Dean of Faculty, USC School of Cinematic Arts
  • Working in a Film Industry in the New NormalLukman Sardi
  • Exclusive Interactive Conversation with the Producer and Leading Actor of Crazy Awesome TeachersDian Sastrowardoyo — Actor & Producer, Gading Marten — Actor
2019
Festival
LAIFF 2019 – Peak of Growth

LAIFF 2019

LAIFF reached a major milestone with Indonesian Film Week, bringing some of Indonesia's most renowned creative figures, including author Leila S. Chudori, actors Dian Sastrowardoyo and Bayu Skak, and director Angga Dwimas Sasongko, to Los Angeles. The program expanded LAIFF's reach and influence while deepening connections between Indonesian cinema, Hollywood, and international audiences.

Selected Films
  • 27 Steps of May
  • Aruna & Lidahnya (Aruna & Her Palate)
  • Critical Eleven
  • Filosofi Kopi 2: Ben & Jody
  • Keluarga Cemara (Cemara's Family)
  • Kulari Ke Pantai (Run to the Beach)
  • Laut Bercerita (The Sea Speaks His Name)
  • Yowis Ben
Discussions & Panels
  • The Process of Book to Film Adaptations — Challenges & OpportunityAkira Mizuta Lippit — Moderator (Vice Dean of Faculty, USC School of Cinematic Arts), Dian Sastrowardoyo, Angga Dwimas Sasongko, Leila S. Chudori
  • Q&A Session for Yowis Ben with Bayu SkakBayu Skak
2018
Special Screening
LAIFF 2018 – Beyond Los Angeles

Special Screening "Sultan Agung"

In 2018, LAIFF expanded to Washington, D.C., marking an important step in the festival's growth. The program featured a special screening of Sultan Agung, the historical drama directed by Hanung Bramantyo, introducing audiences to the story of one of Indonesia's most celebrated national heroes. The expansion helped bring Indonesian history, culture, and cinema to new audiences across the United States.

Selected Films
  • Sultan Agung: Throne, Struggles and Love2018 · dir. Hanung Bramantyo
Discussions & Panels
  • Q&A Discussion PanelMarthino Lio (Actor: Young Sultan Agung)
2017
Special Screening
LAIFF 2017 – Driving Change Through Cinema

Special Screening "Kartini"

A special screening spotlighted Kartini, bringing the acclaimed Indonesian biopic to a Los Angeles audience. Honoring the legacy of one of Indonesia's most influential pioneers of gender equality and education, this year's LAIFF also featured Women Empowerment: Out of Darkness to Light, a discussion exploring themes of leadership, inclusion, and social change.

Selected Films
  • Kartini2017 · dir. Hanung Bramantyo
Discussions & Panels
  • Women Empowerment: Out of Darkness to LightAyushita
2016
Festival
LAIFF 2016 – Exploring Key Themes

LAIFF 2016

LAIFF 2016 presented a selection of Indonesian feature and short films, alongside a special discussion titled Generation M: Young Muslim Women Ready to Change the World, featuring acclaimed Indonesian filmmaker Hanung Bramantyo. The program explored themes of identity, faith, and contemporary womanhood in Indonesia, offering a unique cultural perspective from the world's largest Muslim-majority country that is not defined as a religious state.

Selected Films
  • Hijab
  • Jingga
  • Rudi Habibie
  • Sundul Gan: The Story of Kaskus
  • Koala Kumal
  • Sedeng Sang
  • 24-7 Time
  • On Friday Noon
  • Outgrowth
  • Proud Parent
  • Return To Sender
  • Sebelah Arah (Different Way)
  • Taring
  • Ilalang Ingin Hilang Waktu Siang (Lost Wonders)
  • The Stork Who Dropped Me
Discussions & Panels
  • Generation M: Young Muslim Women Ready to Change the WorldHanung Bramantyo
2015
Festival
LAIFF 2015 – Growing the Conversation

LAIFF 2015

Following the success of its first edition, LAIFF expanded its program in 2015 with the addition of film workshops, creating new opportunities for learning and creative exchange among filmmakers and participants.

Selected Films
  • Guru Bangsa Tjokroaminoto
  • 3
  • Tabula Rasa
  • Di Balik 98
  • Jalanan
  • Cinta Selamanya
  • Cahaya Dari Timur: Beta Maluku
  • Selamat Pagi, Malam
  • Sowan
  • Wong Tjilik
  • Angkringan
  • Pingitan
  • Menunggu Kabar
  • The Last Call
  • 05:55
  • Sleep Tight Maria
  • Friend
  • Untuk Semua
  • Udin Telekomsel
  • Suan Ming
  • Sandekala
  • Main Yuk
  • Iwazaki
Discussions & Panels
  • Afternoon TalkTopic 1: Triple Threat — Collaborative Crew, Competent Production and Curious Talent, Topic 2: The Captivating Charm of Indonesia, Guest speakers: Indonesian and US Filmmakers (Actor, Actress, Executive Producer, Director, Talent Agent)
  • Filming with Indonesian TalentsKellie Madison — Director (Dear Mr. Gacy, Star Struck, The Gate), Cecep Arif Rahman — Actor (The Raid 2, The Gate), Tanta Ginting — Actor (3, The Hijra), Lee Gordon — Screenwriter and Story Consultant, Anggy Umbara — Director (3 The Movie), Dewi Umaya — Producer (The Hijra)
2014
Festival
LAIFF 2014 – The Beginning – LAIFF is Born

LAIFF 2014

The first Los Angeles Indonesian Film Festival marked the beginning of its journey in bringing Indonesian films to the heart of the global film industry. In addition to feature films, the festival presented a short film program showcasing works by filmmakers in Indonesia and the Indonesian diaspora in the U.S. Beyond screenings, LAIFF carried the dreams of emerging filmmakers—creating a space for their stories to be seen, acknowledged, and celebrated.

Selected Films
  • 9 Summers 10 Autumns
  • Sang Penari (The Dancer)
  • Soegija
  • Lovely Man
  • Sokola Rimba
  • Would You
  • The Box
  • Su
  • Antifilm
  • Blumenblatt
  • Lilith
  • In the Desert of Panacea
  • Yellow Rice
  • Lilies
  • Unconditionally
  • There is Nowhere
  • Saved
  • Taxi
  • Misplace
  • Metafora Dalam Cinta
  • Horizon
  • Kitik
  • Si Nini
  • Wan An
  • Lembar Jawaban Kita
  • Guk
  • Sepatu Baru
  • Topeng
  • Paradoks
Discussions & Panels
  • Road to LAIFF: Bridging American and Indonesian Film IndustryMari Elka Pangestu — Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Robert O. Blake, Jr. — U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Edwin Nazir — Director, Tino Saroengallo — Actor and Production Manager, Lukman Sardi — Actor and Director, Wulan Guritno — Actress and Director/Producer, Prisia Nasution — Actress, Model, Presenter and Director, Roland Wiryawan — Director and Organizer

Be Part of LAIFF 2026

The next chapter of Indonesian cinema in Los Angeles is on its way. Join us as a filmmaker, partner, or audience member and help write the next year of the LAIFF story.

Festival InfoGet in Touch