A team of students from the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), achieved recognition at the 2025 Bali International Film Festival (Balinale). They were part of the documentation team for the Ekskursi 2024: Iban program. Their documentary film, Menua Iban (The Way of Iban), directed by Shaquille Zaki Nathandra and written by Quina Qaumitaquna Mirxela and Taufan Sabastian, was successfully selected as one of the top six finalists in the Short Documentary category.
Balinale is an annual international film festival, now in its 18th edition, consistently held in Bali, Indonesia. The 2025 festival took place from June 1–7 at XXI Icon Bali Mall, Sanur. This year, over 1,500 films from around the world were submitted for participation. From these, the committee selected 72 nominated films from 32 countries, including 23 films from Indonesia, which were screened and judged throughout the festival.
The Official Selection was announced on May 10, 2025, with 11 films selected. Subsequently, the top six finalists were announced via Balinale’s official Instagram account on May 21, 2025. The awards night was held on June 6, 2025, at The Meru Sanur, Bali, and was attended by representatives from the FTUI student team: Taufan Sabastian, Maira Aisya Pananto, Muhammad Aghna Mannan, Bhagaskara Adnan Pratista, Muhammad Halim Harfiandri, and Kalila Sofya Zaini.
For Taufan Sabastian, this achievement is a profound source of pride—not only personally and for the documentation team, but also for the entire Ekskursi team, the Department of Architecture, the Faculty of Engineering UI, and Indonesia as a whole. He regarded this success as a valuable opportunity to elevate Indonesia’s name on the global stage and introduce the richness of the archipelago’s culture. “This achievement fosters a deep sense of pride and love for our homeland,” he stated.
Taufan further shared that Balinale broadened their horizons. “We had the opportunity to interact with participants from various countries and brought home new perspectives and insights on the world of film and culture. It was an enriching experience and a strong motivation for us to keep creating and producing our best work,” he said.
Dean of FTUI, Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., expressed his hopes following the team’s achievement at Balinale 2025. “I hope this achievement helps spread awareness and elevate public appreciation of Indonesia’s cultural wealth, especially vernacular architecture. In doing so, our national identity will not be overshadowed by globalisation. May this success inspire more people to keep creating and promoting Indonesia on the world stage,” stated Prof. Kemas.
Menua Iban is a short documentary film produced as part of the Ekskursi 2024: Iban program by the Department of Architecture, FTUI, and was developed between June and December 2024. The film portrays the life of the Iban people living deep within the rainforests of Kalimantan, highlighting their sacred connection to the land, rivers, and ancestral traditions that they continue to uphold to this day.
Through the lens of Iban youth, Menua Iban conveys the community’s struggle not only to survive but also to preserve their cultural identity and dignity. The film weaves a narrative of resilience, heritage, and hope—showcasing how the Iban people live in harmony with nature while delivering a powerful message about the importance of safeguarding local wisdom amidst increasing threats of globalization and environmental exploitation.
Ekskursi 2024: Iban is an annual program organized by students from the Department of Architecture FTUI as part of their commitment to preserving vernacular architecture in Indonesia. Under the guidance of Dr. Ir. Toga H. Panjaitan A.A. Grad. Dipl., Prof. Ir. Evawani Ellisa, M.Eng., Ph.D., and Dr. Rini Suryantini, S.T., M.Sc., the program took place in Dusun Sungai Pelaik, Melemba Village, and Dusun Sungai Utik, Batu Lintang Village, West Kalimantan, from July to August 2024. These two locations are Iban Dayak settlements known for their strong preservation of ancestral culture and traditions.
Balinale is the first and only Oscar-qualifying film festival in Indonesia. It supports independent cinema, promotes both local and international talent, and hosts industry forums, cultural events, and educational programs. The festival is also dedicated to fostering the local creative industry and promoting Bali’s reputation as a global cultural hub.
Previously, the FTUI student team also made it to the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2025 in Los Angeles. Their film Tanah Kitai (Our Land), also a documentary from Ekskursi 2024: Iban, was selected among the top 10 in the Non-Fiction category.
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Public Communications Office
Faculty of Engineering Universitas Indonesia
