Indonesian Film Creative Industry Getting Stronger in the Region, Here is the List of IMAC 2026 Winners

JAKARTA - IMAC Film Festival 2026 officially closed its series of activities after being successfully held for three days. The closing was marked by the Awarding Day which was held at the Asrul Sani Screening Room, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jakarta, on Sunday, April 19, and also became a moment to announce the winners.

IMAC Film Festival is a short film festival in collaboration with the Suka Sinema Community and the Alumni Association of the University of Indonesia Faculty of Cultural Sciences (ILUNI UI FIB), which also received support from the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.

IMAC 2026 carries the theme "Resilience" which invites the public not only to survive, but also to continue to grow in the midst of various global challenges. This theme is also reflected in the short films presented, which highlight various stories about silent struggles, hope, and the spirit to rise. In addition, a number of films also highlight the issue of sustainability and the importance of a lifestyle that is responsible for the environment.

Deputy for Media Creativity of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency of the Republic of Indonesia Cecep Rukendi, expressed his appreciation for the holding of the IMAC Film Festival which is now entering its third year. He assessed that this festival has an important role as an incubation space for young talents as well as a means of promoting the works of Indonesian filmmakers.

"In the future, collaboration needs to be improved, not only fighting fellow filmmakers but also collaborating with other subsectors in the creative industry. One of the weaknesses of film actors is fighting in the film sector alone. In fact, if you look at films like James Bond, this is a collaboration of film makers, digital technology, AI, including fashion, crafts, and more," said Cecep.

The Chairman of ILUNI UI FIB Visna Vulovik added that this year is an important milestone by involving international juries from Malaysia and the Philippines, along with national juries from Indonesia. This is a first step towards IMAC's vision as a global film festival.

"Film is not just entertainment, but also a medium to convey values and shape perspectives. Through film, we can know the identity of the nation, reflect on the past, and imagine the future. We hope that IMAC can continue to be a space for young filmmakers to work and develop," he said.

Furthermore, he also conveyed the IMAC development plan in the future, including holding a roadshow to various cities and the potential for expansion to the regional level, such as Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

The Executive Chairman of IMAC 2026 Sri Bandoro said that the resilience theme was chosen as a reflection of the current global condition. According to him, resilience does not only mean survival, but also finding hope in the midst of challenges.

"Through IMAC, we want to present works that are not only strong in terms of story, but also able to convey a deep message about struggle and hope. This festival is also an important milestone in our steps to become an international film festival. Thank you to all filmmakers who have participated in this festival. Let's celebrate the power of film so that the story not only inspires but also sparks conversations about the power that exists within us all," said Bandoro.

International judges, Yow Chong Lee and Kristine de Leon expressed their appreciation for IMAC which has developed for the better every year. They emphasized the importance of resilience, not only for filmmakers, but also for communities and countries in dealing with various global issues today.

They argue that film festivals that start with core values and start with small steps but always grow slowly, such as IMAC, are a good and ideal example in the world of film festivals. For this reason, the theme of "Resilience" raised this year is considered very relevant to the current world conditions. Resilience is very important not only for filmmakers, but also for nations and communities as we face various challenges today.

IMAC 2026 is a collaboration between the Suka Sinema Community and ILUNI UI FIB which was held from April 16-18 at TIM and FIB UI Depok. The event screened 10 best film programs of IMAC 2026, as well as master classes with Wahana Edukasi, Sony Indonesia, Dimas Bagus, and Cianicolay, as well as talkshows discussing film making and surgery of the works of UI alumni writers, Reda Gaudiamo entitled "Na Willa" and a session with Perixa Batin. The series was closed with Awarding Day which announced the winners of the IMAC 2026 short film festival. From 212 short films from 18 countries that were followed by filmmakers from home and abroad, 8 winners were selected.

Here are the winners of various categories:

The winner of the Film Camp: Ngamplop

Winner of the Student Category: We Don't Know The Title Yet

Winner of the Documentary Category: Birth date

Winner of the Documentary Special Jury Mention Category: Talking to Family

Winner of the International Category: Nativity Scene

Winner of the International Special Jury Mention Category: The Night is Long and Its Yours Alone

Winner of the Nation Film Winner Category: The Night is Long and Its Yours Alone

Winner of the Nation Special Jury Mention Category: Apocalypse Mart