Next Step Studio 2026

Continuing the concept initiated by La Factory at the Directors' Fortnight since 2013, the program supports the emergence of new voices in cinema around the world. Each year, it takes place in a different country and highlights local cinema, bringing together eight emerging directors—four local and four international—to co-write and co-direct four 15-minute short films.

The first 10 editions of the Factory explored Taiwan, Chile, Finland, and Denmark (Nordic Factory), South Africa, Lebanon, Tunisia, five Balkan countries (SEE Factory), northern Portugal, the Philippines, and Ceará in Brazil. More than 80 filmmakers have participated in the program and nearly 50 first feature films have been made.

The first edition of Next Step Studio gives a voice to four young Indonesian directors who have co-writed and co-directed four short films which will be screened during the 65th edition of La Semaine de la Critique. This edition, produced by Yulia Evina Bhara, Amerta Kusuma (KawanKawan Media) and Dominique Welinski (DW), creator and curator of the program, is coproduced by Indra Sashi Kalanacitra, VMS Studio, Visinema Pictures, Navvaros, Entertainment, Poplicist Publicist, Salaya Yachts, Arungi Films, Prodigihouse, Titrafilm A La Plage Studio, Jakarta Film Week, The Jakarta Provincial Government, Ministry of Culture of Indonesia in partnership with French Embassy in Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN, and French Institute Indonesia.

With Next Step Studio, La Semaine de la Critique continues to develop its Next Step workshops, which aim to support young talent in world cinema, from short to feature films.

Next Step Studio contact
Dominique Welinski (DW) : dwelinski@gmail.com

International press
Alibi Communications
Brigitta Portier : brigittaportier@alibicommunications.be

International sales
Rediance
info@rediancefilms.com

HOLY CROWD

DIRECTORS

Reza Fahriyansyah (Indonesia, to the right) and Ananth Subramaniam (Malaysia, to the left)

Indonesia, France – 2025 – 16' – Indonesian

After Ratna rises from the dead during her funeral, her silent body begins performing unexplained healings, turning her husband Arif into the reluctant center of a growing frenzy. As villagers, opportunists, and religious authorities descend, faith and exploitation collide, and the miracle spirals beyond control.

Cast: Prilly Latuconsina, Yusuf Mahardika, Yudi Ahmad Tajudin, Arswendy Bening Swara
DoP: Vera Lestafa, I.C.S
Editor: Carlo Francisco Manatad

ORIGINAL WOUND

DIRECTORS

Shelby Kho (Indonesia, to the right) and Sein Lyan Tun (Myanmar, to the left)

Indonesia, France – 2026 – 14' – Indonesian

After their mother’s death, a brother and sister remain in the house shaped by her control, negotiating conflicting memories of abuse and care. As ritual, body, and memory intertwine, their grief exposes a deeper entrapment, one that persists beyond her absence.

Cast: Agnes Naomi, Omara Esteghlal, Vivian Idris
DoP: Vera Lestafa, I.C.S
Editor: Carlo Francisco Manatad

ANNISA

DIRECTORS

Reza Rahadian (Indonesia) and Sam Manacsa (Philippines)

Indonesia, France – 2025 – 14' – Indonésien

In a crowded housing complex, Anissa, a blind teenage girl navigates a world mainly shaped by sound. As a neighborhood national day celebration unfolds around her, she finds an unexpected way to be heard, reclaiming her place within the noise that surrounds her.

Cast: Choirunnisa Fernanda, Nazira C. Noer, Shakeel Fauzi
DoP: Faozan Rizal, I.C.S
Editor: Carlo Francisco Manatad

MOTHERS ARE MOTHERING

DIRECTORS

Khozy Rizal (Indonesia, to the right) and Lam Li Shuen (Singapore, to the left)

Indonesia, France – 2025 – 17' – Indonésien

Nia, 50, in an abusive marriage navigates a fragmented inner world where desire, memory, and ritual intertwine. A reunion with a former lover reawakens intimacy but exposes the persistence of violence and entrapment. As reality dissolves into hallucination, she reaches for a final, elusive escape.

Cast: Happy Salma, Asmara Abigail, Yudi Ahmad Tajudin
DoP: Deska Binarso, I.C.S
Editor: Carlo Francisco Manatad