Netflix strengthens commitment to Southeast Asia storytelling

Southeast Asian films and series on Netflix are continuing to reach wider audiences than ever. Global view hours of Southeast Asian content grew by nearly 50% from 2023 to 2024, with locally made titles finding fans worldwide. To date, more than 100 Southeast Asia titles have appeared in Netflix’s Global Top 10 – and over 40 of those charted in 2025 alone. Titles from the region also ranked in the Top 10 lists of over 80 countries this year.

Against this backdrop, Netflix expanded its partnership with Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) this year to reaffirm its support for the region’s creative community. Timed to the festival’s 20th anniversary, it rolled out a full slate of industry initiatives, including the debut of Creative Asia in Southeast Asia, and a two-year partnership with the Indonesian Producers Association (APROFI), beginning with the launch of a national production safety guidebook.

The streamer also hosted a successful Season 2 of its hands-on production training program Reel Life Camp, and a first-ever unit still photography workshop that will help local photographers step confidently into new creative roles.

Malobika Banerji, Senior Director, Content-SEA at Netflix, reflects: “Even as the streaming world has changed, our support for this region has stayed consistent – and proudly local. And our commitment isn’t just to the creators already in the spotlight. We care just as deeply about those who are still finding their voice – the next generation of filmmakers, storytellers, and crew who will shape the future of this region.”

Launching the First Creative Asia in SEA

Creative Asia brought together emerging filmmakers and the region’s leading creators, offering the insight and inspiration that help new voices break through. Following its second event at BIFF earlier this year, Netflix partnered with JAFF to deliver a program designed specifically to give young Southeast Asian filmmakers a deeper understanding of craft, collaboration, and the evolving opportunities across the region.

After a hugely successful first Reel Life Film Camp at JAFF last year, Netflix hosted Season 2 at JAFF this week. Introduced in Southeast Asia in 2023 and supported by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, Reel Life is a practical training initiative created with local industry experts to help prepare aspiring filmmakers for professional work in the industry. Over both seasons, they received over 800 applications and hosted almost 100 participants in intensive online, in-person, and on-the-job training.

Participants took part in online and in-person workshops on production, post-production, visual effects, editing and screenwriting; and dedicated talent networking sessions. In collaboration with Soda Machine Films, they also ran a second season of Screenwriters Fellowship focused on discovering fresh screenwriting talent.

The event also shared an exclusive preview of Netflix’s upcoming Southeast Asian titles at JAFF, including a behind-the-scenes clip of the highly anticipated remake of Thailand’s popular period drama “Ploeng Phra Nang.” Erik Matti confirmed that his upcoming Filipino series, “BuyBust: The Undesirables,” will stream next year. Finally, they announced a special partnership with highly celebrated Indonesian author Dee Lestari to adapt three of her best-selling novels (Rapi Jali, Aroma Karsa, and Perahu Kertas) into Netflix original series. Dee’s novels will be brought to life by some of Indonesia’s most exceptional female filmmakers.

Netflix also hosted the world premiere of Lupa Daratan (Lost in the Spotlight), the upcoming Indonesian film from writer-comedian Ernest Prakasa, followed by an insightful audience Q&A. The story follows an award-winning actor with an ego to match, who loses his ability to act just as he’s about to play the President of Indonesia.

This enormous line-up of Netflix-backed programs, announcements and events at JAFF reaffirms its commitment to SEA, with Banerji adding, “We see Southeast Asia as a true creative powerhouse – bold, diverse, and full of heart. And we’re genuinely honored to stand beside you as we shape the next chapter of storytelling together.”