As a young filmmaker, Raphael Wregas Bhanuteja became the first Indonesian director to receive an award at the Cannes Film Festival for his short film Prenjak in 2016. Wregas has also received several other accolades, including Citra Awards for Best Director, Best Short Film (This Town and Prenjak), and Best Original Screenplay; a Maya Award for Short Film (Lemantun); and the Iqbal Rais Special Award for Young Director. Levitating (Para Perasuk) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2026. The film also served as the opening film for the Darwin International Film Festival, September 10 to 20, 2026.
Prior 2026 Darwin International Film Festival, the film Levitating (Para Perasuk) was actually screened in Sydney and Melbourne as part of the 2026 Taiwan Film Festival in Australia, which took place across various cities from July 23 to September 6. What makes Film Levitating so compelling? Its appeal can be summarized in a few key points: a unique premise and story, distinctive visuals and aesthetic approach, and the cast's acting and total commitment to their roles. This is further complemented by its international achievements, including screenings at the Sundance Film Festival (USA) and the Busan International Film Festival (South Korea), where it won an award.
So, what lies behind the success of film Levitating? The inspirational Raphael Wregas Bhanuteja explains it all in his interview with SBS Indonesia.
