From December 2024 to May 2025, our pre-selection committee reviewed 1673 short films from 83 countries. After months of deliberation, 143 titles from 57 countries were chosen for screening and consideration in the 2025 International Competition Awards.
The National Competition winners were selected from Indonesian productions featured in the festival. Eligible films must hold Bali Premiere status, with entries coming from both international submission platforms and the Indonesia Raja network.
Begadang Filmmaking Competition challenges participants to develop their ideas, write the script, shoot, edit, and make their own music scoring. Produce and submit a short film all within a tight schedule of 34 hours.
There were 53 production groups registered this year and 43 succeeded in meeting the deadline for the competition.
All winners (including all the Non-Monetary Award winners) also receive a free of two-week artist accommodation offer at MASH Denpasar artist residency, in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. Accommodation for 2025 Award Winners must be booked between 1 November 2025 until 30 March 2026 only.
The rest of the MFW11 AWARDS is a NON-MONETARY REWARD in the form of a Certificate Of Achievement signed by the Committee, and dedicated online announcements as a PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF EXCELLENCE.
The programming team and program director recommends these winners, and then given to the 2025 Jury Board members to be previewed. The festival committee has made the final decision based on the recommendations of the 2025 Jury Board deliberation meetings.
MFW BEST SHORT FILM OF THE YEAR 2025
A seemingly-light comedy that reveals more layers than meets the eye, in the microcosm of a location where random events seem to happen under the deceptively indifferent eyes of 2 young documentary filmmakers. The micro-story that plays out in front of their camera touches on class, communication, the limits of modern social life, and the roles we are asked to confine ourselves to playing. We, as audience, are first amused and seduced by the 1st-degree story while being skilfully led to ponder upon details of the characters, their social backgrounds and their interactions.
Mary Stephen, Rudolf Dethu, Ben Thompson
International Jury Board 2025
MONTSOURIS (PARK)
[d] Guil Sela
France / 2024 / Fiction / 13:53
On a beautiful autumn day in Montsouris Park, Jacques and Nathan are on the lookout for people to feature in their documentary.
[ig] @manifest_pictures @guilselaapelbaum
MFW BEST NATIONAL COMPETITION AWARD 2025
It’s really an interesting National Competition of the 11th edition of Minikino Film Week because of not just the film themes, stories and the filmmaking quality, it represents Indonesian short film as its best. From the acceptance of the son’s new gender, breaking the tradition, bullying and the loss of something important, from memory, sanity to camera and land, this year’s National Competition offers you the feeling of what it is like to be Indonesian. In the midst of climate change, fast pace of urbanization and social judgment, you can still feel a little bit mystical.
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The winning film crackles with youthful fury, urgency and determination. Graduation should be a moment of celebration and promise for the future. Instead, a monochromatic treatment of archive and contemporary footage expresses the inevitable cycle of state violence and repression spanning generations. And yet, the filmmaker refuses disillusionment. His struggle is the same struggle for anyone who believes in justice and equality for all. Despite the overwhelming odds, we must keep fighting for a better future, for Indonesia, for Gaza, for Sudan, for Ukraine, for oppressed people everywhere.
Ladya Cheryl, Shoko Takegasa, Matt Lloyd
National Jury Board 2025
WHEN THE BLUES GOES MARCHING IN (Pengais Mimpi)
[d] Beny Kristia / [w] Beny Kristia, Gabriela Vanesa. K, Bhisma Wardhana
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.
[ig] @berakinema @fathursyahh @benykristia
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MFW11 NATIONAL COMPETITION AWARD 2025 – SPECIAL MENTION
The film explores the generational divide between parent and child, and an unchallenged prejudice, never spoken out loud, but constantly present. The filmmaker bares their soul, both dreading and praying for the confrontation that will never come. Instead, they travel halfway round the world just to live truthfully. With glacial framing delicately counterbalanced by warmth and humour, the measured direction leaves us in no doubt that self-imposed exile from family may be necessary, but it does not lead to happiness.
Ladya Cheryl, Shoko Takegasa, Matt Lloyd
National Jury Board 2025
MY THERAPIST SAID, I AM FULL OF SADNESS
[d] 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.
Awards/Screenings: DOK Leipzig 2024 | Hong Kong International Film Festival 2025.
[ig] @monictedja
MFW11 BEST ANIMATION SHORT
