Human Creativity Takes Center Stage at Jogja XVI Student Film Festival Amid AI Debate

Student Film Festival Highlights Human Creativity in the Age of AI

The Yogyakarta Student Film Festival (FPPJ) returned for its 16th year, a three-day program held September 12-14 at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama (UNU) Yogyakarta. With the theme Gugur Gunung (Mutual Aid), the event brought together 50 student representatives and screened 25 shortlisted films selected from 88 submissions across Indonesia.

Beyond screenings, the festival doubled down on artistic literacy, collaboration, and honest conversations about technology. It offered space for debate, community building, and hands-on learning that serves emerging filmmakers where it matters-on set and in post.

AI & Creative Production: What the Speakers Said

The opening day featured a seminar, "Artificial Intelligence & Creative Film Production Challenges," held from 1:30-3:00 p.m. at UNU Yogyakarta with 80 participants, including high school students. Speakers: Latief Rakhman Hakim, lecturer at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta, and actress Dinar Roos Wijayanti.

• Keep the creator in control: Latief emphasized that AI can assist across pre-production to post, but it doesn't replace human creativity. "The concern arises when we surrender to AI outputs without engaging creatively ourselves."
• Be transparent with audiences: If you use AI for photos, video, or other media, label it. "We must be honest so audiences understand it's an AI creation, distinct from reality."
• Emotion is still human work: Dinar Roos shared that she doesn't use AI in her acting process. AI visuals may look real, but lack emotional nuance. "Acting is a journey of ngetutke roso-following the feeling-built through readings, direction, and chemistry with fellow actors."

Program Highlights

• National competition ran from June, drawing entries from Aceh to Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
• 25 films selected for screening; 11 premiered on the opening day alongside the seminar.
• Four screening sessions followed by filmmaker discussions encouraged peer learning.
• Film studies discussion led by ISI members and a hands-on workshop on the Gugur Gunung theme.
• Festival concludes with an awards ceremony, closing a six-month competition cycle.

Why This Matters for Creatives

AI is a tool, not a substitute. The edge remains in taste, story, and emotion-qualities built through rehearsal, direction, and on-set collaboration. The festival's message is clear: use AI to speed up tasks, but keep authorship and intention firmly human.

Practical Takeaways for Filmmakers

• Use AI where it saves time: concept boards, script breakdowns, shot lists, transcripts, rough storyboards, denoise/stabilize passes.
• Keep creative choices human: casting, direction, performance notes, pacing, final color and sound tone.
• Label AI-assisted assets in slates, end credits, and press kits to maintain trust with audiences and juries.
• Protect performance: prioritize rehearsals and live chemistry; AI can't replace emotional beats between actors.
• Build shared language: agree as a team where AI is acceptable (and where it isn't) before production starts.

Community & Continuity

"We hope this event helps participants learn to appreciate, analyze, and shape ideas through film," said Tomy Widiyatno Taslim, head of FPPJ. With the festival turning 17 next year, organizers are aiming for broader support and deeper collaboration across student film communities.

Where to Learn More

• Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta
• Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama (UNU) Yogyakarta
• Practical AI tools for generative video (Complete AI Training)