TheCitra awards, Indonesia's equivalent of the Oscars, are back this year for thefirst time since 1992 as part of the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI), organisedby the National Film Supervisory Body (BP2N) with a funding of $66,000 (Rp600m).

TheCitra awards are open to films produced from 2000 - 2004. Both Ada Apa Dengan Cinta' and Arisan,which features the first gay kiss in Indonesian cinema, each scooped more than10 nominations, including best picture, best director, best actor, bestsupporting actor and best supporting actress.

Marsinah Cry Justice, Mengejar Matahari and Eliana, Eliana are alsonominated for best picture. The Citra awards will be presented on December 11 inJakarta.

Theannual FFI, inaugurated in 1973, came to a halt 12 years ago due to the declinein local film productions and the influx of Hollywood titles. The revival ofthe Citra awards is a signal of the increasing number of locally made films.This year, 18 local films were released reportedly, compared to just one fouryears ago.

Meanwhile,the 6th Jakarta International Film Festival (JiFFest), also beingheld this month, kicked off last Friday by GoodbyeLenin. A total of 130 international and local titles will be screened over10 days.

Highlightsof JiFFest include a new competition for short film and short documentary forlocal filmmakers and a special programme of the 3rdAsia Europe Film Development Plan Meeting (December 8-11) held in collaborationwith Asia Europe Foundation.

The film development meeting is attendedmore than 20 young film producers from Europe and Asia. Resource personsinclude Chinese director Li Yang, Hong Kong producer Elliott Tong, German filmcritics Klaus Eder, Singapore film festival director Philip Cheah, Gertjan Zuilhof from HubertBals Funds and French producers EliseJalladeau and Marie Masmonteil.