Fjord (2026)

Romania’s Oscar‑submission ‘Fjord’ opened the Jakarta World Cinema 2026 festival, drawing attention not only for its provocative narrative but also for the presence of acclaimed cinematographer Tudor Vladimir Panduru. The festival’s sole masterclass guest, Panduru highlighted that this is his third collaboration with director Cristian Mungiu—following ‘Graduation’ and ‘R.M.N.’—and the first time they’ve shot outside Romania, working in English and Norwegian. Romanian ambassador to Indonesia Dan Adrian Bălănescu praised the film as a bold critique of contemporary Western society, noting the mixed reception it has received at home. While some critics accuse Mungiu of flirting with conservative ideas, others commend the film’s courageous examination of values and perspectives across cultures. Panduru urged audiences to use the film as a mirror for personal reflection, saying, “Watching this film is important to answer a few questions for yourself, and to understand how to be a better person in the society we live in.” The Jakarta lineup, featuring 207 titles from 69 countries, underscores the global relevance of ‘Fjord’ as it vies for a spot among the 20 official international feature entries at the 99th Academy Awards.

Cristian Mungiu’s Palme d’Or winner ‘Fjord’ opened the Jakarta World Cinema Festival and walked away with its sole feature prize – the Audience Award. The film’s win was celebrated in front of a packed CGV Grand Indonesia, where more than 25,000 cinephiles attended screenings over the eight‑day run. The festival also featured a masterclass by the film’s cinematographer, Tudor Vladimir Panduru, who broke down the long‑take choreography that defines both ‘Fjord’ and his recent work on ‘R.M.N.’. His insights gave aspiring filmmakers a rare glimpse into the visual language behind Mungiu’s acclaimed storytelling. Meanwhile, the KlikFilm Short Movie Competition, run by Indonesia’s leading streaming platform, drew over 300 entries from across the archipelago. The jury – horror director Joko Anwar, writer‑director Gina S. Noer and filmmaker Khozy Rizal – awarded the top prize to Jusuf Witjaksono’s “Karim”, granting him full production and distribution funding from Falcon Pictures for his debut feature. Runners‑up Adam Hasyim Al Raschid’s “Air Pangea” and Ali Yafie Muzaki’s “The Grave of Dreams” also secured full funding for their first features, while Zaky Alfawwaz’s “Callsh#t” took the audience award and Michael Juan Saptayada’s “OTW” earned a Special Jury Prize. The ceremony closed with a lively Q&A for the Thai horror hit “Inherit”, underscoring the festival’s blend of international prestige and local talent development.