Indonesian Directors to Showcase 4 Short Films at Cannes 2026

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A group of directors and actors shared insights into their involvement with the Next Step Studio program, a creative initiative bringing four short films directed by Indonesians to the global stage. Produced by KawanKawan Media in collaboration with co-directors from across Southeast Asia, the collection is set to screen at the 65th edition of La Semaine de la Critique during the Cannes Film Festival in France.

The four films created under the program are Holy Crowd, directed by Reza Fahriyansyah (Indonesia) and Ananth Subramaniam (Malaysia); Original Wound by Shelby Kho (Indonesia) and Sein Lyan Tun (Myanmar); Annisa by Reza Rahadian (Indonesia) and Sam Manacsa (Philippines); and Mothers Are Mothering by Khozy Rizal (Indonesia) and Lam Li Shuen (Singapore).

Annisa

Director and actor Reza Rahadian explained that Annisa tells the story of a young girl of the same name who dreams of singing on stage, regardless of its size. The film portrays her struggle with the attention she receives as a visually impaired performer.

"I met her while shooting a film and fell in love with her zest for life, so I decided to tell her story," Reza said at IFI Thamrin, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

The Pangku director admitted he does not rely solely on technical skill to convey a narrative. "Beyond framing images and stringing them into motion, I believe in how people will ultimately enjoy it; some may like it, some may not," he remarked.

While Annisa plays herself, the character of her mother is portrayed by Nazira C. Noer. "When I saw her mother, the image that came to mind was Nazira; she looks so much like Nazira," he noted.

Nazira C. Noer recounted how Reza initially invited her to the casting process. "I was eventually able to play the character, but the greatest lesson I took from the project came during the shoot," she said, adding that she was mesmerized by the teenager's spirit.

Throughout the process, Nazira observed that Reza did not treat Annisa as someone limited by her disability. "Reza directed her as a capable individual, and that will make Annisa stronger and more prepared in real life," she said.

Holy Crowd

Director Reza Fahriyansyah discussed his collaboration with Malaysian director Ananth Subramaniam, which began with exchanging references. "We tried to find common ground, and it turns out our tastes are more or less the same. We like stories that frame social issues and absurdities in society, especially in Southeast Asia," he said.

The duo developed Holy Crowd by showcasing life's absurdities, including the appearance of a ghost played by Prilly Latuconsina. "Things that are absurd in social life often turn out to have a significant impact on our daily lives," Reza said.

The film stars Prilly Latuconsina, Yusuf Mahardika, Yudi Ahmad Tajudin, and Arswendy Bening Swara. Reza mentioned that the cast was chosen for their ability to bring humor to the frame.

Prilly Latuconsina said her character, Ratna, reflects current social situation. "The character illustrates that everyone will always be willing to take something from within us. When I read it, I felt a bit choked up because I could relate to it. When we appear advantageous, people come close to us," she said.

Yusuf Mahardika, a long-time friend of the director, added that the "mischievous" nature of the production helped the story. "The mischief works in this film to help its story, so I was very excited during production," he said.

Mothers Are Mothering

Director Khozy Rizal collaborated with Singaporean filmmaker Lam Li Shuen and actors Happy Salma, Asmara Abigail, and Yudi Ahmad Tajudin. While they initially intended to make a drama, the project evolved into a sci-fi black comedy. "It turned into a sci-fi black comedy film. When we read it together, we were very enthusiastic. There are many emotions, and it crosses many genres," Khozy said.

In selecting the cast, Khozy sought performers with a broad range to handle the film's mix of reality and imagination. "Happy Salma, Yudi, and Abigail have that range. In the film, the boundary between reality and imagination is blurry, and the three of them convey that perfectly," he said.

Happy Salma noted that her character is a woman with authority rather than one defined by suffering. "Khozy and Li Shuen are very in sync. Each scene has its own orchestration. Especially in this program, there are many names and films, so it is like a cinematic gathering," she said.

Original Wound

Directed by Shelby Kho and Sein Lyan Tun of Myanmar, Original Wound explores a family experiencing grief. Actor Agnes Naomi Shivapriya said the film conveys how siblings can view their parents differently.

"Even though my character and Omara are siblings and have the same parents, we may not necessarily have the same reality in seeing things," she said.

Omara Esteghlal, who also stars in the 14-minute film, explained that the narrative focuses on the friction within a household. "These three people are forced to live in one house, but deep down, they may not want to be together. The film shows the struggle of a sibling wanting to separate themselves from the prison we call home," she said.

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