Craft Animfest 2025: Celebrating Creativity and Animation in Jogja

Craft Animfest 2025 returned to Yogyakarta as a vibrant celebration of art, animation, and culture. For five days, creators from across Southeast Asia shared ideas, showcased their work, and explored the future of animation. Blending tradition with innovation, the festival inspired collaboration and creativity at every turn. Here’s a closer look at the highlights that made Craft Animfest 2025 truly unforgettable.

Five Days of Creativity, Culture, and Collaboration

Craft Animfest 2025 transformed Yogyakarta into a dynamic celebration of art, culture, and animation. The five-day festival featured film screenings, exhibitions, AnimCamp, workshops, and conferences that showcased Southeast Asia’s creative energy.

Led by Piotr Kardas, Chonie Prysilia, Hassan Muthalib, and Hizkia Subiyantoro, the festival also welcomed renowned figures like Heri Dono, Yoshiharu Ashino, Julia Hazuka, and Nyan Kyal Say, whose insights and artistry inspired a new generation of creators.

Highlights and Inspirations from Craft Animfest 2025

Craft Animfest 2025 in Yogyakarta was filled with creativity, collaboration, and cultural spirit. Artists and animators from across the region came together to share stories, techniques, and passion for animation. From inspiring art showcases to insightful workshops, here are some of the standout moments from this year’s festival.

1. Samuel Indratma and the Spirit of Public Art

One of the highlights of Craft Animfest 2025 was the participation of Samuel Indratma, a Yogyakarta-based visual artist and muralist known as a pioneer of public art in Indonesia. Through collectives like Apotik Komik and the Jogjakarta Mural Forum, he helped shape Yogyakarta’s creative landscape by turning murals into a medium for social and cultural storytelling.

Blending Javanese traditions with modern expression, Samuel’s works from murals to installations and animation explore themes of ecology, spirituality, and humanity, reflecting the deep connection between art and everyday life.

2. Masterclass Insight: Creating Meaningful Stories with Julia Hazuka

In the MTN AsahBakat x Masterclass, Julia Hazuka guided participants through an analysis of The Grandmother film as a case study. The session explored how to develop authentic characters and craft stories rich in meaning and visual appeal inspiring creators to tell emotionally resonant stories through animation.

3. Workshop Highlight: Anime Drawing Methods with Yoshiharu Ashino

Japanese animation director Yoshiharu Ashino led a Anime Drawing Methods workshop, offering participants a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of Japan’s leading experts. The session focused on perspective and drawing fundamentals, designed to strengthen participants’ animation skills. 

4. AnimCamp 2025: A Playground for Young Creators

AnimCamp 2025 was a new addition to Craft Animfest, created as a collaborative space for young animators to learn, create, and connect. Through hands-on sessions and mentorship, participants turned ideas into animation projects while building lasting friendships and creative collaborations.

Leomotions at Craft Animfest 2025

Leomotions also participated by showcasing a selection of their latest reels and projects, highlighting their expertise in the animation industry. Their presence at Craft Animfest strengthened their commitment to Indonesia’s growing creative industry and collaboration within the regional animation community.

Looking Ahead: Craft Animfest 2026

Craft Animfest 2025 left a deep impression on participants, reminding everyone that animation is more than art, it's a bridge between tradition, culture, and innovation. Stay tuned for Craft Animfest 2026, where new ideas, workshops, and collaborations will continue to inspire the next generation of storytellers.

Visit Leomotions official website and follow @leomotions on social media to explore more of their creative journey and latest projects.