Oscars: Indonesia Picks ‘Four Seasons in Java’ for International Race

Indonesia has selected Kamila Andini‘s “Four Seasons in Java” (“Empat Musim Pertiwi”) as its submission for the international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards.

Written and directed by Andini and produced by Ifa Isfansyah for Forka Films, the film stars Putri Marino, Arya Saloka, Christine Hakim and Hana Malasan. The story centers on Pertiwi (Marino), a formerly incarcerated woman who comes back to a hometown that will not welcome her, pushing her to reckon with a painful personal history set against ongoing silence, violence and social division. Elements of mystery, magical realism and science fiction run through the psychological drama as it examines trauma, memory and what it takes to reclaim a sense of home and identity.

Andini said, “‘Four Seasons in Java’ is a story about returning, not only to a place, but to the parts of ourselves that we have been forced to leave behind. It is deeply rooted in Indonesia, but the questions it asks about trauma, memory, violence and healing are universal. I am incredibly honored that the film will represent Indonesia at the Academy Awards.”

The selection extends Andini’s run as one of Indonesian cinema’s most consistent presences on the international festival circuit. Her 2021 feature “Yuni” premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, where it won the Platform Prize, and went on to become Indonesia’s Oscars submission that year. Her film “Before, Now & Then” (Nana) played in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, where Laura Basuki won the Silver Bear for best supporting performance.

“Four Seasons in Java” had its world premiere in the Centrepiece program at the ongoing Toronto Film Festival and is set to screen at the Busan International Film Festival next month. It has also picked up a best cinematography nomination at the 2026 Asian Pacific Screen Awards.

Isfansyah said, “We are incredibly proud that ‘Four Seasons in Java’ will represent Indonesia at the Academy Awards. Kamila has created a film that is profoundly Indonesian in its setting and perspective, while speaking to universal experiences of trauma, resilience and the search for belonging. We are grateful to our international partners and to everyone who has supported the film’s journey.”

The film is an international co-production spanning Indonesia, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Paris-based Goodfellas is handling worldwide sales. “Four Seasons in Java” is set for a wide theatrical release in Indonesia on Oct. 8, following an earlier run in select theaters this September.