Indonesia Short Films Program at the 19th Vilnius Short Film Festival.
Indonesian focus is presented in Special Programmes, in collaboration with Minikino Film Week Bali International Short Film Festival.
Programmer: Fransiska Prihadi
Duration: 92:00 / Rating: 16+
Program Note
The Indonesian short films selected in this program offer stories about inheritance and transformation. Each film opens a conversation within the intimate space between generations. You will feel the love in the air, through friendship, family, identity, belief, and expectation. Within the frictions experienced by the characters, we may find a reflection of ourselves. A shared cultural memory that goes beyond geographical boundaries. Despite the different languages, a universal language of care does not always require understanding. You simply feel it.
Breaking the silence of queer voices and dreams of a better nation appear as acts of gentle rebellion, reclaiming bodies and identities once defined by others. The hope for change sometimes begins with listening and noticing what was left unsaid. In bringing these films together, the program becomes a cinematic dialogue on how identity is shaped, not only by what we inherit but also by what we choose to carry forward. Beyond postcolonial and transitional identities, it becomes a conscious choice to carry new values into the future. It is a redefinition of what family, faith, and freedom can mean.
Films
MY THERAPIST SAID, I AM FULL OF SADNESS
Monica Vanesa Tedja / Indonesia / 2024 / Documentary / 22:25
A filmmaker finds the source of their sadness by combing through archival material of their biological and queer chosen families.
I AM A FLOWER
Ariel Victor Arthanto / Germany, Indonesia / 2024 / Animation / 13:15
Deviant artist Sam, on the verge of fully transforming into a flower, spends one final day at a flower spa with their mother.
NO!!! (NGGAK!!!)
Oktania Hamdani & Winner Wijaya / Indonesia / 2024 / Fiction / 06:00
Sekar is getting ready for a virtual wedding in a game when her mother suddenly calls her, arranging a real-life setup that interrupts her plans.
WHEN THE BLUES GOES MARCHING IN (Pengais Mimpi)
Beny Kristia / Indonesia / 2025 / Experimental / 12:40
A young man narrated his dream from last night to his father about the celebration of demonstration, anger, and graduation.
HEAR THE PING PONG SING (Dengarlah Nyanyian Ping Pong)
Andrew Kose / Indonesia / 2024 / Fiction / 17:54
A 6-year-old girl finds comfort in the rhythm of a ping pong ball when her family argues in Hokkien words she can’t understand.
SAMU THE TERRIBLE AND HIS SIN
Dhiwangkara Seta / Indonesia / 2023 / Fiction / 18:00
A lonesome marine student receives strength from the freshwater realm to seek revenge against his rivals.
Screening Schedule and Location
Wednesday, 21 January 2026
17:30 – 19:00 Photography Museum, Šiauliai
20:00 – 21:30 Arlekinas, Klaipėda
Thursday, 22 January 2026
18:30 – 20:00 Romuva, Kaunas
20:15 – 22:00 Skalvija, Vilnius
Saturday, 24 January 2026
13:30 – 15:00 Stasys Museum, Panevėžys
Sunday, 25 January 2026
15:40 – 17:10 PASAKA Oldtown, Vilnius
About The Festival
Vilnius Short Film Festival is the only short film festival in Lithuania accredited as an Academy Awards Oscar and European Film Awards qualifying festival, and has been one of the largest international short film festivals in the Baltic region since its establishment in 2006. Taking place from 21–27 January 2026, the festival presents the latest short films from around the world, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinema audiences. The Vilnius Short Film Festival features an International Competition showcasing approximately 30–40 short films from across the globe, a National Competition presenting the newest works by Lithuanian filmmakers, as well as a wide range of non-competitive programmes complemented by industry activities, workshops, seminars, professional networking forums, and public events such as special screenings, music events, and interactive programmes.
The festival is actively engaged in various international and European film networks, received official recognition as a Vilnius City Festival in 2024 for its contribution to promoting the city of Vilnius on a global level, and made history as the first Lithuanian film festival whose Grand Prix winner is eligible for Oscar consideration and which became a European Film Awards qualifying festival in 2025.
Related Link:
https://filmshorts.lt/en/movie/my-therapist-said-i-am-full-of-sadness/
https://kcromuva.lt/en/filmai/vilniaus-trumpuju-filmu-festivalis-indonezija-tarp-vakar-ir-siandien/