Ciputra Film Festival (CFF) is an annual film festival organized by FIKOM Ciputra University Surabaya. Ciputra Film Festival (CFF) generally aims to be a film festival that accommodates Indonesian and world film works, especially for school and university students. This film festival is held to raise various film works of young filmmakers, as well as a place for their work to be appreciated, so that they are also able to build relationships and collaborations to and trigger the creativity of the participants in the process of planning to film distribution.

Ciputra Film Festival (CFF) was first held in 2022 with the theme "Arunika," which aims to be a platform for new filmmakers and reward lesser-known filmmakers who have great potential. In that year, CFF received 203 short film submissions and organized seminars and workshops to support learning and discussion among filmmakers. The festival continued to grow, with the theme "Inara" in 2023 inviting the participation of over 345 works, and the theme "Unseen" in 2024 highlighting social issues that are often overlooked, resulting in 617 submissions. Following our 2025 theme "Boundless" which drew an astonishing 1,636 entries from visionary directors around the globe!

Entering its fifth year in 2026, CFF carries the theme "MOSAIC".
A mosaic isn’t beautiful because it’s perfect. It’s beautiful because there are hundreds of different, irregular pieces that come together to create something whole. It is more than just a theme, it is a dedicated space for young filmmakers to be their "True" self. It is an invitation to share the parts of the process that often stay hidden, the personal struggles, the deep-seated traumas, and the powerful backgrounds that form the meaning of a film.

We believe that a great story doesn't need to chase what’s trending. Instead, it should be built from these honest, jagged pieces of reality. Show us the stories that made YOU. Because here, Every Shape Matters.

In the non-competition program, 5th Ciputra Film Festival brings three exciting programs that offer unique experiences that reflect this year’s theme.
• Perfectly Asymmetric celebrates stories about interest between two individuals, including the tension, bravery, and sweetness of comfort.
• Collection of Sharp Edges brings up the shattered fragments and project them into something unsettling that could frighten someone into their core.
• Circus of Circles specialized for films that entertained the audience like the circus' acrobats who kept entertaining everyone without caring about on-going life. Together, these programs aim to inspire filmmakers to celebrate all the fragments that create our life.

* While some of the films take the big screen in the theater, some Non-Competitive selection might take over the Open-Air Cinema. [Due to certain consideration]
* Open Air Cinema is an open public space for audiences without limited barriers, so that the films in this program (from competition and non-competition submission) can be discussed openly.

For more information, please check our Instagram @cffbyuc

Awards & Prizes

-Competitive Categories-
Our grand jury adjudicates the following awards and are eligible for official trophies and prizes:
1. Best Fiction Film
2. Best Documentary Film
3. Best High School Student Film
- Note: Winners in this category are eligible for exclusive academic scholarships.
4. Audience Choice Award

-Non-Competitive Showcase-
While these films are screened outside the main competition, they remain eligible for public appreciation:
1. Audience Choice Award

Rules & Terms

Be sure to provide all the materials needed on your FilmFreeway account before submitting to CFF. The following materials are required for the catalog, website, and promotion of the film;

1. Synopsis
2. Cast and Crew credits
3. Technical Information (screening format, running time, screen ratio, language, subtitle)
4. Dialog List in English (if available)
5. Biography and filmography of the director (half page), could be Can be written in approximately 900 characters on the website
6. Photograph of the Director - high quality
7. Minimum 3 high-quality still photographs of the film
8. Festivals/Awards/Exhibitions - complete updated list
9. Production Company/Sales Company/ Contact
10. Director's Statement and/or Curator’s comments (if available)
11. Press Kit/reviews (if available)
12. Film's website (if available)
13. Link to the film's trailer.

Competition Program
A competition for young Indonesian and global filmmakers. Through each work selected in the competition program, filmmakers have the opportunity to get the 5th Ciputra Film Festival award. Participants who submitted films can come from junior high school students, senior high school students, university students, and the public.

Requirements
1. Films are either Fiction or Documentary
2. Duration of the film must be between 5 minutes and 25 minutes (including opening and credit titles).
3. Films must have been produced between January 1, 2023, and April 19, 2026.
4. Films must include English subtitles in burned-in format.
5. The film is not under an exclusive contract with any party. Any problem regarding the contract is not under the committee's responsibility.
6. Each participant is allowed to submit a maximum of 5 works.
7. Participants or team members who have registered cannot be replaced for any reason.

Non-Competition Program
An exhibition and appreciation platform for young Indonesian and global filmmakers. The 5th Ciputra Film Festival provides an opportunity for junior high school students, senior high school students, university students, and the public to showcase their best film work to the audience. In addition to the competition program, 5th CFF also presents three unique and interesting non-competition programs, such as Perfectly Asymmetry, Collection of Sharp Edges, and Circus of Circles. "Perfectly Asymmetric" invites the audience to dive into a dynamic love story. "Collection of Sharp Edges" immerses the audience in a gripping horror dimension, and "Circus of Circles" brings laughter through fresh, unexpected humor.

The 5th CFF also presents the Open Air Cinema program. Open Air Cinema is an open public space for audiences without limited barriers, so that the films in this program can be discussed openly.

Requirements
1. Films are either Fiction or Documentary
2. Duration of the film must be between 5 minutes and 25 minutes (including opening and credit titles).
3. Films must have been produced between January 1, 2023, and April 19, 2026.
4. Films must include English subtitles in burned-in format.
5. The film is not under an exclusive contract with any party. Any problem regarding the contract is not under the committee's responsibility.
6. Each participant is allowed to submit a maximum of 5 works.
7. Participants or team members who have registered cannot be replaced for any reason.

Other Terms
- Participants who passed the curation process are advised to send 2 representatives to attend the screening and awarding event since there will be an exclusive question-and-answer session with the filmmaker. Representatives are expected to fill out the RSVP link for confirmation of attendance. The RSVP link will be provided by the 5th CFF committee.
- The 5th CFF committee is allowed to use the film materials that have been submitted by participants for promotion and socialization of the 5th CFF.
- Fiction and documentary film works must not contain immoral elements, pornography, hate speech against ethnicity, religion, and race, and other things that are contrary to Indonesian laws and regulations.
- Music or songs and other materials (photos, graphics, and others) do not violate copyright and do not contain hate speech, provocation of acts of violence, and pornography.
- The copyright of the work remains the property of the participant.
- If there is a copyright lawsuit in the future, the committee would not take any responsibility. The committee will assume that all videos included are the original work of the participants.
- We encourage all creators to share their work, including those who have won in other film festivals before [including CFF]. However, in line with our mission to celebrate new voices, only debut or first-time filmmakers will be considered for the winning titles.

Penalties for Violations
- During the 5th CFF activities, if there is a proven copyright claim, the 5th CFF committee has the right to disqualify the film work and cancel the award that has been given.
- Films registered to the 5th CFF that do not meet the administrative requirements by the final date of work submission are automatically disqualified.
- Participants who are in the middle of the 5th CFF implementation and are known and proven to violate the applicable provisions in the 5th CFF will be disqualified.
- Participants who carry out activities to spread hate speech, commotion, and provocation, as well as any actions that violate laws and regulations during the event, will be automatically disqualified.
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Firly Permata

    Ciputra Film Festival continues to provide an important platform for emerging and independent filmmakers to share their work with new audiences. We were honored to have The Quiet Beside Me selected for the 5th edition of the festival.

    The festival team was communicative and supportive throughout the process, and the screening experience was well organized. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and audience members who made this experience so memorable.

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Deja Attariq

    Had a great time at CFF this year! The staff were top notch when it comes to hospitality and communicating with the team. I hope to see and attend the next edition!

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • andrew suleiman

    A wonderful and awesome festival. We screened our "Sorry: Tai Tai Dari Masa Depan" here. Had alot of fun. Beyond our expectation. They really took care of us from start to finish. A great line up of special guests for expert sessions too. Highly recommended : )

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • AVATUR MOJOKERTO

    One of the best experience

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re truly happy to know you had such a great experience with us. Your support and appreciation mean a lot to the whole team.

  • AJAY KANNAUJIYA

    Although I couldn't attend the festival in person, the entire team was incredibly supportive, and the audience was fantastic. I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the CFF Team for their enthusiasm and kindness. It's clear that the festival's success is a result of the team's dedication and passion.

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Your words mean a lot to us. Distance didn’t stop the connection, and we’re so glad you felt the warmth, enthusiasm, and energy behind the festival. Thank you for being part of our journey. Your support fuels our passion to keep creating and growing.