World Vegan Film Festival Asia
The inaugural edition of the World Vegan Film Festival Asia took place on May 13th and 14th, 2023, at Vegan Festival Indonesia in Jakarta, Indonesia. The festival showcased a captivating lineup of films that explored various aspects of veganism, ranging from animal rights and environmental sustainability to health benefits and conservation efforts. The event aimed to educate, entertain, and foster meaningful conversations about the power of a plant-based lifestyle while promoting synergy among filmmakers and encouraging vegan filmmaking. We featured an impressive lineup of thought-provoking documentaries, inspiring short films, and captivating short animations. Each film offers a unique perspective on topics such as animal rights, the health benefits of plant-based diets, environmental conservation, and the ethical implications of food choices. Renowned filmmakers and industry professionals, including Keegan Kuhn, Dr. Harsha Atmakuri, Dr. Sailesh Rao, Zac Lovas, Michal, Julia, and story writer Mr. Jony Yuwono, were in attendance, adding their expertise and insights to the festival. The festival featured diverse selection of films, including award-winning documentaries such as Cowspiracy, Maa Ka Doodh (Mother’s Milk), Land of Ahimsa, and more including the premiere of ‘Kamu Juga Bisa.’ Film. Attendees had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of vegan cinema, engage in post-screening discussions, and connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about creating a more compassionate and sustainable future.
The festival also featured the audience voting for the best films in various categories. The winners of the Audience Choice Awards were:
BEST SHORT ANIMATION FILM
BEST SHORT FILM
BEST FULL-LENGTH FILM
In addition to the above awards, the WVO also recognized two filmmakers:
The WVO Visionary Filmmaker Lifetime Achievement Award: Keegan Kuhn
This award is to recognize the filmmaker who has contributed to leading the way and been groundbreaking in advancing cinema as a powerful medium for protecting animals, people, and the planet and promoting a more kind and compassionate world
The WVO Golden Damar Kurung First Time Filmmaker Award: Dr. Harsha Atmakuri
The WVO Golden Damar Kurung, the first-time filmmaker award is for the filmmaker who tackles subjects dealing with the protection of the planet, and animals and promoting a plant-based diet, often exposing truths not widely known to the public, through the art of filmmaking.
In addition to Jakarta, we also hosted a smaller event by extending the World Vegan Film Festival Asia at Bali and Medan.
World Vegan Film Festival Asia at Bali, Indonesia:
We hosted a screening on the 16th of May at Fortunate Coffee Bali and showcased two powerful documentaries: “What The Health” and “Maa Ka Doodh.” The screening was a resounding success, with a diverse audience in attendance who were eager to engage with the thoughtprovoking content of the films. Following the screenings, we were privileged to have the presence of esteemed filmmakers Keegan Kuhn and Dr. Harsha Atmakuri, who participated in a Q&A session, sharing their insights and experiences in creating these impactful documentaries. The audience was captivated by the films’ powerful storytelling and the vital messages they conveyed about the importance of a plant-based lifestyle for personal health and the well-being of our planet.
The Q&A session provided a unique opportunity for attendees to gain deeper insights into the filmmaking process and to engage in meaningful discussions about the topics raised in the films. We are grateful to Fortunate Coffee Bali for hosting this special film screening event and providing a welcoming space for our audience to explore vegan documentaries’ transformative power. The event in Bali further strengthened our commitment to promoting veganism and raising awareness about the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle
World Vegan Film Festival Asia at Medan, Indonesia:
We hosted screenings on the 21st of May at and showcased two powerful documentaries: “What The Health” and “Maa Ka Doodh.” at Maha Maitreya Cemara Asri in Medan, Jakarta. The filmmakers: Keegan Kuhn from What the Health and Dr. Harsha Atmakuri from Mother’s Milk (Maa Ka Doodh) were present to host a one-on-one Question and Answer session with the audience of the event.
The event was organized with the theme of the event is “Morality . Health . Environment .” with the ultimate essence being non-violence. We thank the co-organizers World Vegan Organization, IVS-VSI, Vegan Squad, Socrates Vegan and VegVoyages Foudation.
World Vegan Film Festival Asia Will RETURN
In conclusion, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the filmmakers who entrusted us with showcasing their remarkable works at the World Vegan Film Festival Asia. These films have played a vital role in making this festival a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on the audience and contributing to the advancement of veganism and animal rights. We are immensely proud of the talent and dedication showcased by each filmmaker, and we thank them for being a part of this incredible journey.
We are also grateful to all of our sponsors, partners, and attendees who have contributed to the success of the festival. With their support, we have not only celebrated the power of vegan filmmaking but also taken significant steps toward raising awareness about veganism, animal rights, and the environment.
Together, let us continue to use the power of cinema to spread awareness, foster compassion, and create positive change for our planet and all its inhabitants