Indonesian best directors

1. Joko Anwar

Joko Anwar was born on January 3, 1976 in Medan, Indonesia. He is a writer and director, known for Satan's Slaves (2017), The Forbidden Door (2009) and Gundala (2019).

2. Gina S. Noer

Writer | Like & Share

Gina S. Noer is known for Like & Share (2022), Two Blue Stripes (2019) and Cinta Pertama, Kedua, & Ketiga (2021).

3. Ernest Prakasa

Writer | Cek Toko Sebelah

Ernest Prakasa was born on January 29, 1982 in Jakarta, Indonesia. He is a writer and actor, known for Check Store Next Door (2016), Ngenest (2015) and Imperfect (2019).

4. Riri Riza

Writer | Eliana, Eliana

Riri Riza was born on October 7, 1970 in Makassar, Indonesia. He is a writer and director, known for Eliana, Eliana (2002), Emma' (Mother) (2016) and Sokola Rimba (2013).

5. Yandy Laurens

Writer | Keluarga Cemara

Yandy Laurens is known for Cemara's Family (2018), What We Lose to Love (2022) and Wan an (2012).

6. Angga Dwimas Sasongko

Producer | Cahaya dari timur: Beta Maluku

Director Angga Dwimas Sasongko champions Indonesian cinema with award-winning urban movies.

Renowned for his depiction of contemporary urban Indonesia, Sasongko is one of the country's most respected award-winning film directors. In 2008, he put up his own film production company, Visinema Pictures,...

7. Yosep Anggi Noen

Director | Hiruk-Pikuk Si Al-Kisah

Yosep Anggi Noen is known for The Science of Fictions (2019), Solo, Solitude (2016) and 24 Hours with Gaspar (2023).

8. Mouly Surya

Director | Yang tidak dibicarakan ketika membicarakan cinta

Mouly Surya is known for What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love (2013), Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (2017) and Fiksi. (2008).

9. Wregas Bhanuteja

Director | Penyalin Cahaya

Wregas Bhanuteja was born in Jakarta, 20 October 1992. He grew up and knew about filmmaking for the first time in Yogyakarta, Central Java. He graduated from Jakarta Institute of Arts in 2014 with film directing major. He made some short films including "Lembusura " (2015) that competed in Berlin ...

10. Usmar Ismail

Director | Toha, Pahlawan Bandung Selatan

Usmar Ismail was born in 1921 in Dutch East Indies [now Indonesia]. He was a director and writer, known for Toha, Pahlawan Bandung Selatan (1961), Lagi-lagi Krisis (1955) and Delapan Pendjuru Angin (1957). He died in 1971 in Indonesia.

11. Garin Nugroho

Director | Opera Jawa

Garin Nugroho was born on June 6, 1961 in Jogjakarta, Indonesia. He is a director and writer, known for Javanese Opera (2006), Memories of My Body (2018) and I Wanna Kiss You Once (2002).

12. Razka Robby Ertanto

Director | Ave Maryam

Razka Robby Ertanto is known for Ave Maryam (2018), 7 Hati, 7 Cinta, 7 Wanita (2010) and Cross the Line (2022).

13. Kamila Andini

Director | Laut Bercermin

Kamila Andini was born on May 6, 1986 in Jakarta, Indonesia. She is a director and writer, known for The Mirror Never Lies (2011), Yuni (2021) and The Seen and Unseen (2017).

14. Ifa Isfansyah

Director | 9 Summers 10 Autumns

Ifa Isfansyah was born in Jogjakarta, Indonesia 1979. Graduated from Television Department Indonesian Institute of the Art Jogjakarta. In 2001, with his several friends founding an independent film community, named Fourcolours Films and has been active producing short films. Ifa was selected at ...

15. Djenar Maesa Ayu

Director | Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet!

Djenar Maesa Ayu is known for Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet! (2008), Nay (2015) and If This Is My Story (2018).

16. Edwin

Director | Seperti dendam, rindu harus dibayar tuntas

Edwin was born in 1978 in Surabaya, Indonesia. He is a director and writer, known for Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash (2021), Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly (2008) and Postcards from the Zoo (2012).

17. Hanung Bramantyo

Director | 17 Selamanya

Hanung Bramantyo was born on October 1, 1975 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He is a director and writer, known for Bittersweet Seventeen (2022), Cinta Tapi Beda (2012) and The Gift (2018).

18. Timo Tjahjanto

Director | V/H/S/2

Timo Tjahjanto is known for V/H/S/2 (2013), Killers (2014) and The Night Comes for Us (2018).

19. Nia Di Nata

Writer | Berbagi Suami

Nia Di Nata was born on March 4, 1970 in Jakarta, Indonesia. She is a writer and producer, known for Love for Share (2006), Suka Duka Berduka (2022) and Ca-bau-kan (2002).

20. Arifin C. Noer

Director | Bibir Mer

Arifin C. Noer was born on March 10, 1941. Arifin C. was a director and writer, known for Bibir Mer (1992), Pengkhianatan G30S/PKI (1984) and Taksi (1991). Arifin C. was married to Jajang C. Noer. Arifin C. died in May 1995.

21. Eros Djarot

Director | Kantata Takwa

Eros Djarot was born on July 22, 1950 in Rangkasbitung, Banten, Indonesia. Eros is a composer and writer, known for Kantata Takwa (2008), Marsinah (2001) and Tjoet Nja' Dhien (1988).

22. Nya Abbas Akup

Director | Drakula Mantu

Nya Abbas Akup is known for Drakula Mantu (1974), Ateng Minta Kawin (1974) and Tiga Cewek Badung (1975).

23. Upi Avianto

Writer | Sri Asih

Upi Avianto is known for Sri Asih (2022), Shackled (2012) and My Stupid Boss (2016).

24. John de Rantau

Director | Denias, Senandung di Atas Awan

John de Rantau is known for Denias, Singing on the Cloud (2006), Dilarang Menyanyi di Kamar Mandi (2019) and Suami Yang Lain (2024).

25. Asrul Sani

Writer | Nada dan Dakwah

Asrul Sani was born on May 10, 1926 in Rao, Sumatra's Westkust, Dutch East Indies [now Rao, West Sumatra, Indonesia]. He was a writer and director, known for Nada dan Dakwah (1991), Kuberikan Segalanya (1992) and The Barbed-wire Fence (1961). He was married to Mutiara Sani and Nurani, Siti. He died...

26. Kimo Stamboel

Director | Killers

Kimo Stamboel is known for Killers (2014), Dara (2007) and Macabre (2009).

27. Paul Agusta

Director | Parts of the Heart

Paul Agusta was born in Jakarta on 1 September 1980. He was raised in Indonesia before moving to America to study film. Upon finishing film school, he returned to Indonesia to begin a varied career in film: from film critic (which he retired from in 2007), film programmer/curator, filmmaker, writer...

28. B.W. Purba Negara

Director | Bermula dari A

B.W. Purba Negara is known for Starting from A (2011), Ziarah (2016) and Kamu di Kanan Aku Senang (2013).

29. Wicaksono Wisnu Legowo

Writer | Turah

Wicaksono Wisnu Legowo is known for Turah (2016), Pretty Little Liars (2019) and Detektif Jaga Jarak (2023).

30. Aditya Ahmad

Director | Sepatu Baru

Aditya Ahmad is known for On Stopping the Rain (2013), A Gift (2018) and Endah N Rhesa: Ruang Bahagia (2016).

31. Jason Iskandar

Director | Akhirat: A Love Story

Jason Iskandar is a screenwriter and director born in Jakarta, February 1, 1991. He is also listed as the founder of Studio Antelope, a film production company based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Jason's short films, such as Territorial Pissings (2010), Seserahan (2013), Balik Jakarta (2016), Elegi Melodi ...

32. Aco Tenriyagelli

Writer | Quarantine Tales

Aco Tenriyagelli is known for Quarantine Tales (2020), Drama Ratu Drama (2022) and Wongasu (2022).

33. Sidharta Tata

Director | Quarantine Tales

Sidharta Tata is known for Quarantine Tales (2020), Pertaruhan: The Series (2022) and Ali Topan (2023).

34. Wahyu Agung Prasetyo

Director | Tilik

Wahyu Agung Prasetyo is known for Tilik (2023), Ladies on Top (2018) and The Sons (2018).

35. Teddy Soeriaatmadja

Director | Lovely Man

Teddy Soeriaatmadja is known for Lovely Man (2011), Innocent Vengeance (2023) and Something in the Way (2013).

36. Ravi L. Bharwani

Director | Jermal

Ravi L. Bharwani is known for Fishing Platform (2008), 27 Steps of May (2018) and Impian Kemarau (2004).

37. Wim Umboh

Director | Perkawinan

Wim Umboh was born on March 26, 1933 in Menado, Menado, Dutch East Indies [now Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia]. He was a director and writer, known for Perkawinan (1972), Senyum Di Pagi Bulan Desember (1974) and Hidup tanpa kehormatan (1981). He died on January 24, 1996 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

38. Teguh Karya

Director | Di Balik Kelambu

Teguh Karya was born on September 22, 1937 in Pandeglang, Bantam, Dutch East Indies [now Pandeglang, Banten, Indonesia]. He was a director and writer, known for Di Balik Kelambu (1983), Secangkir Kopi Pahit (1985) and Doea Tanda Mata (1985). He died on December 11, 2001 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

39. Sjuman Djaya

Director | Kabut Sutra Ungu

Sjuman Djaya was born on August 5, 1934 in Jakarta, Indonesia. He was a director and writer, known for Kabut Sutra Ungu (1979), Bukan sandiwara (1980) and Lewat tengah malam (1971). He died on July 19, 1985 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

40. Makbul Mubarak

Director | Autobiography

Makbul Mubarak was born on February 27, 1990 in Tolitoli, Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia. Makbul is a director and writer, known for Autobiography (2022), The Malediction (2016) and Watch It Burn.

41. Khozy Rizal

Director | Makassar Is a City for Football Fans

Khozy Rizal is known for Makassar Is a City for Football Fans (2021), Basri and Salma in a Never-ending Comedy (2023) and Ride to Nowhere (2022).