INDODAX Short Film Festival 2023 Successfully Held, Encourages Young Filmmakers From Sabang To Merauke To Be Unbounded Creative

Photo: Doc. Indodax

JAKARTA - INDODAX Short Film Festival (ISFF) 2023 was held lively on Friday 10 November at the Ice Palace Concert Hall, Lotte Shopping Avenue. The increasing interest in young filmmakers is proof of the success of the 2023 ISFF event.

There were 266 films registered and competed to be the best. This event chose the eight best film categories as the winner.

"This year shows a great increase in public enthusiasm for ISFF 2023, which is an increase of almost three times compared to last year's 99 films. Participants who registered for ISFF 2023 were also spread from Sabang to Merauke. Some came from Aceh, Sulawesi, Kupang (NTT) to Papua," said INDODAX CEO Oscar Darmawan in his statement, quoted Monday, November 13.

In fact, Oscar added that there were films that were nominated for the last 15 of the 2023 ISFF from Maluku, Sanggau (West Kalimantan), to Balikpapan (East Kalimantan).

"With this impressive amount and even distribution, it shows the development and even distribution of the short film industry in Indonesia," said Oscar.

Oscar also said ISFF is not just a competition, but also an event to celebrate diversity in the arts of cinema.

"ISFF is the biggest short film festival event in Indonesia. With the theme "Limitless", ISFF 2023 wants every young filmmaker not to limit itself from continuing to be creative. We want to create momentum for young filmmakers to continue to exceed boundaries, face challenges, and embrace unlimited creativity," said Oscar.

Not only that, according to Oscar, ISFF is a place to celebrate the hard work of young filmmakers who have dared to break boundaries and explore the infinite world through short films.

In line with Oscar, Mira Lesmana, a producer film and also a judge at ISFF 2023 said that this ISFF could be a forum for young filmmakers to learn and improve their abilities in the world of cinema.

"Young filmmakers who contribute to ISFF will certainly receive comments, criticisms, and inputs that help increase their knowledge and abilities in the world of cinema," said Mira.

Mira also said that this ISFF-like talent search event could increase film standards in Indonesia. This is because ISFF helps educate young filmmakers to enter and start in the world of cinema.

Meanwhile, according to Anjas Maradita, a Content Editor and also a judge at ISFF 2023 said that ISFF could be a shortcut for young filmmakers to work in the world of cinema.

"By participating in competitions such as ISFF, it opens up broad potential to various industries related to the film industry, such as the advertising industry. Through competitions, it can attract the attention of producers, so that participants have a greater chance of being known, working together, and engaging in larger projects in the creative industry," said Anjas.

Anjas also highlighted the existence of seven winning categories in ISFF, which could encourage participants to further highlight and focus their talents according to existing categories.

"It is hoped that in the future the short films ISFF 2023 can raise social issues related to the crypto world. Such as showing the benefits of crypto in everyday life to the experiences of people who live and survive from crypto," said Anjas.

In addition, according to Angga Dwimas Sasongko, a Director & Founder of Visinema Pictures and a jury at ISFF 2023 said that ISFF is a forum for young filmmakers to show and develop their talents.

"It is hoped that in the future INDODAX will be consistent in creating a short film festival like this, because it can give birth to many new talents to boost the film industry in Indonesia," said Angga.

Moreover, according to Angga, the film industry in Indonesia is still in the early stage and there are many spaces that new talented talents can take advantage of to enter and collaborate in this industry.

"ISFF is very unique, because it was initiated by a crypto company that is far from the film industry. So, indirectly, INDODAX helps expand and introduce the film industry to the general public," said Angga.

Unlike the ISFF in previous years, this year's ISFF also involved a film curator who has experience in the film world who is also a lecturer and film practitioner, Dedih Nur Fajar Paksi. Dedih was impressed by the creativity and talents radiated in the films included in ISFF 2023.

"Each work shows a high dedication to the arts of short films. This is clear evidence that young Indonesian filmmakers have great talent and potential to achieve achievements in the film industry, both at the national and international levels," said Dedih.

Dedih also said that hopefully this ISFF event can be an important milestone in encouraging the development of the film industry in Indonesia. Also, motivating young filmmakers to continue working with an unlimited spirit.

Of course, the quality of the films included in the 15 nominations has gone through an assessment process in several parameters, to enter into the best films in accordance with the eight categories of ISFF 2023. The winners of course get prizes with a total of one hundred million rupiahs. The following is a list of 2023 ISFF winners in various categories:

- Best Short Film: The Neighbor, from the production house Correlations Films- Best Cinematography: Surya Gemilang, from the production house Surgem IKJ- Best Built-In: The Neighbor, from the production house Correlations Films- Best Scenario: Gita Cita, from the production house of the Wingit- Best Actor Team: Nada Irama, from the production house Unlimitale- Best Film Poster: The Neighbors, from the production house Correlations Films- Most Favorite Film: Nada Irama, from the production house Unlimitale- Juri Special Mention: All, Dara Dirayakan, from the production house Selarasi Film

One of the other unique things in this year's ISFF event is that the selection of the winners of the Most Favorite Film category uses an e-vote system that utilizes NFT technology. By utilizing this NFT, it can reduce the potential for fraud, and ensure that the distribution of voting rights is evenly distributed and fairly.

The success of holding the 2023 ISFF event is certainly inseparable from Nusa's support as a partner in the 2023 ISFF voting; Indozone, Medcom, Media Indonesia, People's Mind, and Genflix as the 2023 ISFF media partner; and International Design School, as the 2023 ISFF partner campus.

The ISFF event is proof of INDODAX's seriousness, as the trusted crypto exchange in Indonesia, in finding young talents as future assets in the film industry.

"Because we believe that film is a strong medium for conveying messages, stimulating thoughts, and inspiring the next generation," Oscar concluded.