Ciputra Film Festival or better known as (CFF) is an annual short film festival organized by the academy of Communication Sciences, Ciputra University Surabaya with a focus on the development of young filmmakers and film works that raise social issues.^[1][2][3][4] Since it was first organized in 2022, the festival has grown into a significant platform in Indonesia's independent film industry, with its mission to empower the younger generation in creating film works that not only have artistic value but also meaningful social impact.^[5][6][7][8]

The festival was established in response to the need for a platform for young Indonesian filmmakers to express their creativity and raise social issues through the medium of film. The inaugural event was held in 2022 in Surabaya, and since then it has become an anticipated annual event in the national film industry calendar. The festival demonstrates its commitment in developing the independent film industry by presenting various programs that support the growth of young filmmakers.^{[9][10][11][12]}

Ciputra Film Festival organizes a film competition program that is divided into several main categories. These categories include Fiction Competition, Documentary Competition, Voice of the Voiceless, Perfectly Imperfect, Illusion of Delusion, SOS: Shout Out Surabayans!, and Open Air Cinema. Each category is designed to accommodate various genres and approaches to filmmaking, making room for a diversity of perspectives and narratives in Indonesian cinema.^[13][14]

In its third year, the festival's theme focuses on hidden stories from various parts of Indonesia. This theme is particularly relevant given that Indonesia is an archipelago with a diversity of cultures, ethnicities and religions that have many narratives that have yet to be revealed.^[15][16] The festival specifically raised issues such as urban poverty hidden behind the luxury of big cities, discrimination against minority groups, neglected women's rights, and the struggle of indigenous peoples to defend their land and culture.^{[17][18][19][20]}

The festival divides its film competition into nine main categories. The Best Fiction and Best Documentary categories are the highest awards given based on the jury's judgment. Meanwhile, the Audience Choice Award category gives the audience the opportunity to vote for their favorite films in seven different categories: Fiction Competition, Documentary Competition, Voice of the Voiceless, Perfectly Imperfect, Illusion of Delusion, SOS: Shout Out Surabayans!, and Open Air Cinema.^[21][22][23]

The festival involves film professionals and academics as jury members, including:

• Ifa Isfansyah - Director and founder of Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival

• Ginanti Rona - Director of the film “Midnight Show” and various OTT series

• Yosep Anggi Noen - International award-winning director

• Aryudha Fasha - Actor and multi-award winner

• Igak Satrya Wibawa - Academician and jury of the Indonesian Film Festival

• Bernard Realino Danu Kristianto - Academician and documentary filmmaker.