HAPPENING NOW!
KALIMANTAN INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS FILM FESTIVAL 2025!
This year, KIFF received over 100 submissions from 43 ethnic groups/countries. After a rigorous curation process, 34 films were selected for the Official Selection. Among them are Lun Bawang from Malaysia, Harmony in the Grime Valley from Papua, and Rahasia Tanah Mollo, featuring Mama Aleta, a women's activist from East Nusa Tenggara who received the 2013 Goldman Environment Prize and the 2016 Yap Thiem Hien Award. Of course, there are also works by Dayak filmmakers such as Ignited and Awas Ada Ujian. The complete list of Official Selection films can be found here.
In addition to film screenings, there will be a series of side events such as panel discussions, exhibitions, cultural performances, workshops, and a folklore competition. One of the main topics this year will be the issue of disability in the context of indigenous communities in Kalimantan.
KIFF 2025 will be held over five days, September 16-20 at Palangkaraya Mall. The film screening itself will be held at Cinema 21 Palangkaraya for a total of four shows. The final evening event will be held at Dermaga Kereng Bangkirai, in collaboration with local residents, Sanggar Marajaki, Genpi Palangkaraya, and the Indonesian Film Festival team with Prilly Latuconsina and Sheila Dara as special guests.
INDIGENOUS FILM FESTIVAL
WHAT’S IIFF?
IIFF stands for International Indigenous Film Festival, an initiative established to support and develop social documentary filmmaking within the context of indigenous values in preserving culture and voice the rights of indigenous people. Initiated from the grassroots level in Kalimantan since 2015. Indigenous Film Festival has evolved from a local event to an international event since 2018. The festivals are held annually as Bali International Indigenous Film Festival (BIIFF), Kalimantan Indigenous Film Festival (KIFF), Kuching International Indigenous Film Festival (KIIFF).
Sarah Lois, Kelabit filmmaker from Malaysia was sitting in discussion with Dimas, filmmaker from Banjar tribe, Indonesia.
Documentary films can be a major catalyst for change and can ultimately influence millions of viewers. Documenting cultural stories and raising awareness can bring heart-based indigenous wisdom to mainstream audiences. This is all the more important since the need to live more sustainably has never been greater. By working towards sustainable support between filmmakers, doors will open. By discussing effective strategies for positive change, indigenous communities across Indonesia and beyond will benefit for the greater good.
The films cover a variety of topics including indigenous wisdom, connection with nature, solution focused alternatives, land rights issues, success stories, forest preservation, and use of technology to support indigenous interests. Great indigenous leaders come forward when armed with education and positivity.It is a platform for indigenous filmmakers to showcase their films to the global audience, connect to international indigenous filmmaking community network, and share the stories from their tribes all across the globe.
Photo Exhibition
Creative Corner at Kalimantan International Indigenous Film Festival 2024
Ranu Welum Foundation gave a Lifetime Achievement Award to Bue Iber, a 80 Years old Dayak Indigenous Defender, in recognitio of his fights for Indigenous land in Kalimantan.