Sumedang Short Film Festival
2025

About SSFF 2025

The Sumedang Short Film Festival is an annual event aimed at bringing together independent filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and local communities into a single, organized creative platform. The first SSFF was held in 2020, driven by the spirit of supporting the creative economy sector, tourism, culture, and education in Sumedang during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. In its inaugural year, the festival was open exclusively to films produced by filmmakers from Sumedang.

The successful organization of the Sumedang Short Film Festival for four consecutive years has inspired the committee to aim even higher. The continuous evolution of SSFF’s programs from year to year reflects the committee's passion for engaging with local filmmakers and fostering broader creative networks. In 2025, the Sumedang Short Film Festival is expanding its scope to include participants from ASEAN countries, Timor-Leste, and Australia, under the brand "5th Annual Sumedang Short Film Festival 2025" (SSFF 25). After recording significant growth since its inception in 2020, SSFF has demonstrated its potential to become a film festival that not only supports local filmmakers but also serves as a gateway to wider cultural collaborations. The surge in participant numbers, the diversity of submitted works, and the positive reception from the film community show that SSFF has developed an appeal that goes beyond the geographic boundaries of Sumedang and West Java.

This expansion reflects the Sumedang Short Film Festival’s commitment to providing a creative platform grounded in the vision of "Promoting Understanding of Human Values Through Film." SSFF 25 strengthens its role as a creative space that connects filmmakers across nations through a shared spirit: building solidarity through culture. Through this step, SSFF 25 not only broadens its participant base but also carries a strategic mission: to introduce Sumedang to the international film stage, to build cross-national creative networks, and to offer a more inclusive and impactful cinematic experience. In doing so, SSFF 25 becomes a symbol of transition—from a locally rooted festival to one with an international scope.

SSFF 2025 Themes

From Sumedang to the Southeast, Building Bonds Through Film

The Sumedang Short Film Festival 2025 (SSFF 25) carries the theme "Southeast Solidarity" with the aim of uniting various sectors, both from the local community and filmmakers from diverse nations across the Southeast region of the world. Through its implementation, the festival will showcase a representation of life in Sumedang to the eyes of the world. Additionally, the festival seeks to present the perspective of the Sumedang community on the values of brotherhood within an international context.

Award Categories

Diverse Awards for Diverse Stories.

The Sumedang Short Film Festival 2025 features diverse award categories that celebrate creativity and excellence in short filmmaking. Each category highlights outstanding works, honoring talent and innovation from local and international filmmakers.

Best Documentary

The Best Documentary award honors compelling non-fiction short films that tell real stories with authenticity and creativity, inspiring audiences through powerful storytelling.

Best Fiction (Animation)

The Best Fiction (Animation) award recognizes the most imaginative and captivating animated short films that tell fictional stories with creativity and artistic excellence.

Best Fiction (Live Action)

The Best Fiction (Live Action) award honors the most compelling and well-crafted live-action short films that tell fictional stories with creativity and emotional impact.

Best Local

The Best Local award recognizes outstanding short films that highlight local culture, stories, and talents from the Sumedang region, celebrating authentic voices and community spirit.

Special Award for Promoting Diversity

The Special Award for Promoting Diversity honors a short film that powerfully represents diverse voices, cultures, and perspectives, fostering inclusion and understanding through storytelling.

Special Jury

The Special Jury Prize is awarded to a short film that demonstrates exceptional creativity, originality, or impact, as recognized by the festival’s jury panel beyond the standard categories.

SSFF 2025
Programs

Diverse Programs, One Festival Spirit.

SSFF 2025 offers a variety of programs including film screenings, exhibitions, and networking events. These activities aim to inspire, educate, and connect filmmakers and audiences, fostering a vibrant and inclusive creative community.

DEC 06

2025

Awarding Night

The Awarding Night at SSFF 2025 celebrates the outstanding achievements of filmmakers, honoring the best works across various categories in a memorable and inspiring ceremony.

01 Dec-04 Dec

2025

Exhibition

The Exhibition program at SSFF 2025 features visual displays and interactive installations that highlight the art and culture behind filmmaking, offering audiences a deeper connection to the creative process.

Our Timeline

From Submission to Celebration: SSFF 2025 Timeline.”

The SSFF 2025 timeline outlines key dates and milestones, guiding participants through submission deadlines, screening schedules, workshops, and the awarding night. This clear roadmap ensures everyone stays informed and engaged throughout the festival journey.

Celebrating Our
Past Winners

Featuring a curated selection of standout films that have won awards at previous festivals, presenting inspiring and memorable stories from talented filmmakers.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about SSFF 2025, covering submissions, eligibility, programs, and participation to help guide your festival experience.

  • -Live Action Fiction Films with duration of 10 to 20 minutes.
    -Animated Fictions Films with duration of 5 to 10 minutes.
    -Documentary Films with duration of 10 to 20 minutes.

  • Only films produced no earlier than 2023 are eligible for submission.

  • The festival is open to citizens of the following countries: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and the host country, Indonesia.

  • Submissions open on Wednesday, October the first, 2025, and close on Sunday, November the eight, 2025.

  • Submissions must be made online through the official SSFF 2025 FilmFreeWay Link.

  • Applicants are required to prepare and upload the following materials:

    • Scan/Photo of IID card which applies in one of the ASEAN countries, Timor Leste or Australia
    • Film file in HD resolution (1920 x 1080, Mp4 format)
    • English subtitles (mandatory, including for films in English or regional languages).
    • Trailer file with duration of 30–60 seconds.
    • Short Director Profile (25–100 words).
    • Short Synopsis file (50–100 words).
    • Still photos (minimum of 3).