Private Project

Plastic Tourism

"Plastic Tourism" is more than a documentary; it challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths. It is a call to action and testament of the delicate balance between human leisure and environmental responsibility.

Our film explores the paradox of a paradise spoiled by plastic waste. Through immersive visuals and interviews, it unveils the crisis of Gunung Sewu area (UNESCO Geopark), Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta. One of Indonesia's stunning coastal destinations. The consequences of uncontrolled tourism, the plastic waste emerges as a pervasive threat to the ecosystem.

The film portrays resilience and hope; highlights grassroots movements and innovative local solutions, from beach clean-ups to the creative recycling of plastic into eco-bricks and toys. These meaningful initiatives are achievable.

Central of narrative are local traditions and spirituality; the "Larungan" (offering) to the ocean ceremony which symbolizes gratitude and harmony with the ocean, emphasizing reconnection with our mother earth.
Traditional shadow puppet performance in the end, serves as purification and reflection of responsibility for environment; the Pandawa/the good (action based on the heart) win the battle against Kurawa/the bad (action follows the ego), a guide to righteous (dharma) living, attainment of inner peace through wisdom and selfless action.

  • Ira Setiawati
    Director
  • Ira Setiawati
    Writer
  • Jiwa Laut production
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Wisata Plastik
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 18 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 19, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Indonesia
  • Country of Filming:
    Indonesia
  • Language:
    Indonesian
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Dreamz Catcher International Fim Festival
    Kolkota
    India
    September 3, 2024
    Best Inspirational Film
  • Liberty Internationl Movie Festival
    Seoul
    November 22, 2024
    First time Film Maker Award
  • Ethografilm Festival
    Paris
    France
    April 20, 2025
    Official Selection (festival without awards)
  • Toronto Documentary Feature and Short Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    August 28, 2024
    World Premiere
    Best short film Award
  • Cannes 7th Art Awards
    Cannes, marché du film
    France
    May 19, 2025
    Contribution to Environmental Documentary Film Making Award
  • Singapore Seabreeze International Film Festival
    Singapore
    Singapore
    March 4, 2025
    Honorable Mention Award
  • Wildsound Feedback Film and Screenplay Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    January 30, 2025
    Best Story Public Award
  • 4th Dimension Independent Film Festival
    Ubud Bali
    Indonesia
    October 16, 2025
    National Premiere
    Best Documentary Film
  • Beyond Border International Film Festival
    Kolkota
    India
    August 31, 2024
    Best Documentary Award
  • Swedish International Film Festival
    Stockholm
    Sweden
    October 15, 2024
    Best Short Documentary Award
  • Better World Film Festival
    Munich
    Germany
    October 20, 2024
    European Premiere
    Sunshine Award
  • INTERNATIONAL FILM CARNIVAL
    Calcutta
    India
    November 14, 2024
    Best Inspirational Film Award
  • 7th-RIFF-Roshani International Film Festival
    Andarrabad
    India
    August 17, 2025
    Social Film Award
  • Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival
    Rehoboth Beach Delaware
    United States
    September 14, 2025
    USA Premiere
    Environmental Award
  • Best Shorts Competition Festival
    La Jolla California
    United States
    March 18, 2025
    Awareness Rising / Contemporary Issues Award
  • Cambodian International Film Festival
    Phnom Penh
    Cambodia
    March 21, 2025
    Beautiful Planet Explorer Official Selection (festival without awards))
  • World Environmental Day
    Yogyakarta
    Indonesia
    June 7, 2025
    Home town Premiere
    Institute French Festival Environmental Day
  • Journée Mondiale de l'Emvironnement
    Leuze
    Belgium
    June 5, 2025
    Journée de l'environnement
  • Your Way International Film Festival
    Valetta
    Malta
    February 2, 2025
    Best Eco Film Award
  • PARIS LADY MOVIEMAKERS FESTIVAL Paris Lady MovieMakers Festival
    Paris
    France
    October 31, 2024
    Best Short Environmental Award
  • Babul Eco Film Festival
    Hyderrabad
    India
    June 4, 2025
    Nominee and screening
Distribution Information
  • Ira Setiawati Jiwa Laut
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Ira Setiawati

Ira Setiawati, born in Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia.
Moved to Yogyakarta to SMA 9 High School, after graduated went to Malang to Brawijaya University. Then worked for manufacturing industry for six years. Went to Cambodia as Organic Food Technology advisor and also had handicraft business there.

In 2011, bought land in Watukodok beach Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta. Developed a centre for environmental education; the buildings were awarded as green architecture, water tanks for rain catchment, a grey water filtration system, biogas. Promote solar panel & wind mill project as main sustainable energy.

Founded Jiwa Laut non profit government organization & its funded from its eco-puncture ecolodges; a social business which the profits are used for social, reduction of plastic waste, environmental & cultural activities. Also supporting the local community by empowering them and using its local natural resources to increase village's income. Promoting local culture as good media to build wise character & respect the earth; where we are born, live & die.

Making this documentary is the first experience in the movie world & got support by local community.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This is about the director's feeling of the Yogyakarta beaches worsening condition. The contrast between massive tourism growth and the insufficient capacity of local human resources to manage it wisely. The government has not provided optimal facilities for the tourism industry. There is a lack of training to handle the increasing visitors and their littering, insufficient waste management infrastructure, which negatively impacts local resident’s condition and the environment due to the large amounts of trash.
This documentary wants to raise awareness of the emergency situation; show local residents solutions and life inspiration to tourism stakeholders, government, and visitors.
The hope is with the involvement of all parties, we can restore local culture and wisdom; recognize the imbalance occurring locally in Gunung Kidul (UNESCO site), in Yogyakarta generally, and Indonesia as a whole, which is the world's second-largest producer of plastic waste.