Cannes Critics’ Week Introduces Next Step Studio Indonesia: A New Era for Filmmaker Development
Cannes Critics’ Week is excited to announce the launch of Next Step Studio Indonesia, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing talent development programs for 2026. This venture, in collaboration with esteemed production companies KawanKawan Media and DW, breathes new life into La Factory—a filmmaker incubator that began at Directors’ Fortnight in 2013.
Under the Next Step Studio banner, four pairs of directors will team up to create a captivating series of four short films, each with a runtime of 15 minutes. The lineup features a balanced mix of Indonesian talent and international filmmakers, with each duo sharing responsibilities for both writing and directing. Funding for these projects is sourced entirely from Indonesia, and the completed films will premiere at Critics’ Week, highlighted by a special “Next Step Presents” showcase.
These screenings will also serve as a marketplace opportunity, where participating directors can pitch their debut or second feature concepts to acquisition executives, sales agents, and potential co-production partners. This innovative model builds on a decade-long commitment to global outreach that has spanned multiple continents. Previous iterations have reached diverse locations including Taiwan, Chile, Finland, Denmark, South Africa, Lebanon, Tunisia, the Balkans, northern Portugal, the Philippines, and Brazil’s Ceará region. The program boasts a remarkable track record, with over 80 directors having participated and nearly 50 successfully completing their first feature films.
“Our mission is to foster collaboration as a means to showcase not only stories from Indonesia but also to elevate Southeast Asian talents on the international stage,” said Yulia Evina Bhara from KawanKawan Media, who is co-producing this inaugural edition. “We are thrilled that KawanKawan Media is representing Indonesia and excited to partner with DW and La Semaine de la Critique in this venture.”
Funding for this Jakarta-based initiative is supported by municipal authorities and Indonesian cultural institutions, along with backing from the French Embassy in Indonesia and the Institut français d’Indonésie. Bhara shares her producing duties with Dominique Welinski of DW, the visionary behind the original Factory concept, who continues to shape the program’s creative direction.
“Next Step Studio signifies a fresh beginning for the Factory program. Critics’ Week is the perfect platform for debut and second features at Cannes. We owe our gratitude to Ava Cahen, Thomas Rosso, Remi Bigot, and the entire team for their warm welcome and shared enthusiasm,” Welinski stated. “This inaugural edition in Indonesia is already making strides thanks to the hard work of Yulia Evina Bhara and her dedicated team.”
This initiative goes beyond mere production; it aims to establish a networking framework for emerging filmmakers. By connecting the Cannes premiere with structured industry access, organizers aspire to enhance visibility for participants while linking Indonesian production capabilities with international distribution channels. Following their Cannes debut, the short films are expected to travel to major festivals such as Sundance, Toronto, and Clermont-Ferrand, with television broadcasters and streaming services often acquiring distribution rights.
Next Step Studio represents an evolution of Critics’ Week’s existing workshop programs, focusing on guiding directors through the transition from short films to feature-length projects. While past iterations centered on filmmakers already selected for the festival’s short film competition, the new model embraces external projects and emphasizes cross-cultural exchange. Many international participants will bring previous Next Step experiences, creating valuable mentorship opportunities within the group.
“After the successes of Next Step in 2014 and Next Step II in 2023, we are excited to continue expanding our workshops with Next Step Studio,” said Thomas Rosso, director of Next Step. “We are adopting a new formula while maintaining our core mission: to discover and nurture new talent in world cinema, particularly as they transition from short to feature films. It’s a pleasure to welcome Dominique Welinski to the Next Step family and collaborate with the talented Yulia Evina Bhara for this exciting first edition in Indonesia. Our goal is to gradually broaden our program’s horizons and encourage new proposals, all while fostering a spirit of exchange and experimentation.”
With Next Step Studio, Cannes Critics’ Week is set to become a pivotal platform for emerging filmmakers, paving the way for innovative storytelling and international collaboration.
