Cannes Critics’ Week has unveiled Next Step Studio Indonesia , marking a significant expansion of its talent development programs for 2026.

The venture, created in partnership with production companies KawanKawan Media and DW, revives the spirit of La Factory – a filmmaker incubator that ran at Directors’ Fortnight beginning in 2013.

Under the new banner, four pairs of directors will collaborate on quartet of short films, each running 15 minutes. The lineup splits evenly between Indonesian talent and international helmers, with each duo sharing writing and directing duties. Financing comes entirely from Indonesian sources, and the finished works will debut at Critics’ Week with a dedicated “Next Step Presents” showcase. The screenings double as a marketplace opportunity, with partici

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