Cannes Critics' Week Launches Next Step Studio Indonesia
Four young Indonesian directors will co-direct four short films to be presented at Critics Week at Cannes 2026.
Cannes Critics' Week is partnering with Indonesia’s KawanKawan Media and French producer Dominique Welinski on short film programme Next Step Studio Indonesia.
Continuing the concept initiated by La Factory at the Directors' Fortnight since 2013, the programme aims to support the emergence of new voices in cinema around the world. Taking place in a different country each year, the programme brings together eight emerging directors – four local and four international – to co-write and co-direct four 15-minute short films.
The first ten editions of the Factory focused on 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 so far participated in the programme, nearly 50 of which have gone on to make their debut features.
The first edition of Next Step Studio will select four young Indonesian directors who will co-write and co-direct four short films to be presented at Critics' Week at Cannes 2026. Co-produced by Welinski and KawanKawan Media’s Yulia Evina Bhara, this edition is entirely funded by local institutions and the Jakarta government, in partnership with the French Embassy and the Institut Français in Indonesia.
Produced and financed locally, the films will received their world premiere in Cannes Critics' Week as part of a “Next Step Presents” screening. Directors can also pitch their first or second feature film to international buyers, broadcasters, distributors and co-producers.
Critics Week is also continuing to develop its Next Step workshops, which aim to support young talent in world cinema, from short to feature films. Originally reserved for filmmakers selected with their short films, the workshops are gradually opening up to guest projects. This will be the case with Next Step Studio Indonesia, which will promote exchanges between local and international filmmakers, some of whom have participated in Next Step workshops.
