# Citra Award for Best Director

The Citra Award for Best Director (Indonesian: Piala Citra untuk Sutradara Terbaik) is an award given at the annual Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) to Indonesian film directors in recognition for their achievement in the previous year. The Citra Awards, described by Screen International as "Indonesia's equivalent to the Oscars", are the country's most prestigious film awards and are intended to recognize achievements in films as well as to draw public interest to the film industry.
Garin Nugroho is the most recent winner with his film Samsara at the 2024 ceremony.

## History

The award was first given in 1955 with the winner of that year, Lilik Sudjio for his film Tarmina, being selected from all eligible films a jury panel without shortlisted nominations. Owing to efficiency concerns and widespread disapproval of winners within the Indonesian film industry, beginning in 1979 the FFI instituted a nomination system in which a committee selects the winner from a shortlist that could range between four and six films.
There were no Citra Awards given between 1993 and 2003 due to sharp decline in domestic film production. It was reinstated as an annual event in 2004 after receiving funds from the Indonesian government.
As of 2020, Teguh Karya is the most decorated director in the Citra Awards history with six wins out of nine nominations, while Hanung Bramantyo has the most nominations with eleven, winning two. In addition to them, six other directors have won multiple Citra Awards for Best Director: Arifin C. Noer, Edwin, Sjumandjaja, Slamet Rahardjo, Mouly Surya, and Joko Anwar.
With her win for Fiksi. in 2008, Mouly Surya became the first and, as of 2022, the only woman to have won the Best Director award. She won another one for Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts in 2018. Ida Farida holds the distinction as the first woman director to receive a nomination with Semua Sayang Kamu in 1989. Following the revival of Indonesian cinema in the mid-2000s, more women have received nominations for Best Director, including Kamila Andini who have received four nominations, Upi Avianto with three, and Nia Dinata with two.
The award has been revoked once, in 2007, after Nayato Fio Nuala's 2006 win for Ekskul garnered heavy criticisms due to the film's unauthorized use of copyrighted materials from the 2000 film Gladiator and the 2005 film Munich.

## Nominations and awards

Winners are highlighted in blue and listed in bold.

### 1950s

| Year | Recipient | Film | Ref |
| 1955 (1st) | Lilik Sudjio | Tarmina | |
| 1956 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1957 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1958 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1959 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |

### 1960s

| Year | Recipient | Film | Ref |
| 1960 (2nd) | Bachtiar Siagian | Turang | |
| 1961 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1962 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1963 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1964 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1965 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1966 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1967 (3rd) | Misbach Yusa Biran | Dibalik Tjahaja Gemerlapan | |
| 1968 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1969 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |

### 1970s

| Year | Recipient | Film | Ref |
| 1970 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1971 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1972 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1973 (4th) | Wim Umboh | Perkawinan | |
| 1974 (5th) | Teguh Karya | Cinta Pertama | |
| 1975 (6th) | Teguh Karya (2) | Ranjang Pengantin | |
| 1976 (7th) | Nico Pelamonia | Semalam di Malaysia | |
| 1977 (8th) | Sjumandjaja | Si Doel Anak Modern | |
| 1978 (9th) | Ami Priyono | Jakarta Jakarta | |
| 1979 (10th) | Teguh Karya (3) | November 1828 | |
| 1979 (10th) | Asrul Sani | Kemelut Hidup | |
| 1979 (10th) | Ismail Soebardjo | Binalnya Anak Muda | |
| 1979 (10th) | Wahyu Sihombing | Gara-Gara Isteri Muda | |
| 1979 (10th) | Wim Umboh | Pengemis dan Tukang Becak | |

### 1980s

| Year | Recipient | Film |
| 1980 (11th) | Frank Rorimpandey | Perawan Desa |
| 1980 (11th) | Arifin C. Noer | Harmonikaku |
| 1980 (11th) | Arifin C. Noer | Yuyun Pasien Rumah Sakit Jiwa |
| 1980 (11th) | Hasmanan | Anna Maria |
| 1980 (11th) | Slamet Rahardjo | Rembulan dan Matahari |
| 1980 (11th) | Sjumandjaja | Kabut Sutra Ungu |
| 1981 (12th) | Ismail Soebardjo | Perempuan dalam Pasungan |
| 1981 (12th) | Asrul Sani | Para Perintis Kemerdekaan |
| 1981 (12th) | Eduart Pesta Sirait | Gadis Penakluk |
| 1981 (12th) | Teguh Karya | Usia 18 |
| 1982 (13th) | Arifin C. Noer | Serangan Fajar |
| 1982 (13th) | Eduart Pesta Sirait | Bukan Istri Pilihan |
| 1982 (13th) | MT Risyaf | Bawalah Aku Pergi |
| 1982 (13th) | Nico Pelamonia | Dr. Karmila |
| 1982 (13th) | Sophan Sophiaan | Jangan Ambil Nyawaku |
| 1983 (14th) | Teguh Karya (4) | Di Balik Kelambu |
| 1983 (14th) | Ami Priyono | Roro Mendut |
| 1983 (14th) | Chaerul Umam | Titian Serambut Dibelah Tujuh |
| 1983 (14th) | Sjumandjaja | R.A. Kartini |
| 1984 (15th) | Sjumandjaja (2) | Budak Nafsu |
| 1984 (15th) | Ami Priyono | Yang |
| 1984 (15th) | Arifin C. Noer | Pengkhianatan G30S/PKI |
| 1984 (15th) | Sofyan Sharna | Sunan Kalijaga |
| 1984 (15th) | Slamet Rahardjo | Ponirah Terpidana |
| 1985 (16th) | Slamet Rahardjo | Kembang Kertas |
| 1985 (16th) | Sjumandjaja | Kerikil-Kerikil Tajam |
| 1985 (16th) | Teguh Karya | Doea Tanda Mata |
| 1985 (16th) | Teguh Karya | Secangkir Kopi Pahit |
| 1986 (17th) | Teguh Karya (5) | Ibunda |
| 1986 (17th) | Arifin C. Noer | Matahari-Matahari |
| 1986 (17th) | Chaerul Umam | Kejarlah Daku Kau Kutangkap |
| 1986 (17th) | Eduart Pesta Sirait | Bila Saatnya Tiba |
| 1986 (17th) | Sjumandjaja | Opera Jakarta |
| 1987 (18th) | Slamet Rahardjo (2) | Kodrat |
| 1987 (18th) | Arifin C. Noer | Biarkan Bulan Itu |
| 1987 (18th) | Nya Abbas Akup | Cintaku di Rumah Susun |
| 1987 (18th) | Sophan Sophiaan | Arini (Masih Ada Kereta yang Akan Lewat) |
| 1987 (18th) | Wim Umboh | Secawan Anggur Kebimbangan |
| 1988 (19th) | Eros Djarot | Tjoet Nja' Dhien |
| 1988 (19th) | Frank Rorimpandey | Akibat Kanker Payudara |
| 1988 (19th) | Nasri Cheppy | Catatan Si Boy |
| 1988 (19th) | Slamet Rahardjo | Kasmaran |
| 1988 (19th) | Wahyu Sihombing | Istana Kecantikan |
| 1989 (20th) | Teguh Karya (6) | Pacar Ketinggalan Kereta |
| 1989 (20th) | Buce Malawau | Tragedi Bintaro |
| 1989 (20th) | Galeb Husein | Noesa Penida (Pelangi Kasih Pandansari) |
| 1989 (20th) | Ida Farida | Semua Sayang Kamu |
| 1989 (20th) | Imam Tantowi | Si Badung |

### 1990s

| Year | Recipient | Film | Ref |
| 1990 (21st) | Arifin C. Noer (2) | Taksi | |
| 1990 (21st) | Chaerul Umam | Joe Turun ke Desa | |
| 1990 (21st) | Putu Wijaya | Cas Cis Cus (Sonata di Tengah Kota) | |
| 1990 (21st) | Slamet Rahardjo | Langitku Rumahku | |
| 1990 (21st) | Sophan Sophiaan | Sesaat dalam Pelukan | |
| 1991 (22nd) | Imam Tantowi | Soerabaia 45 | |
| 1991 (22nd) | Buce Malawau | Potret | |
| 1991 (22nd) | Garin Nugroho | Cinta dalam Sepotong Roti | |
| 1991 (22nd) | Labbes Widar | Lagu untuk Seruni | |
| 1991 (22nd) | Ucik Supra | Rebo & Robby | |
| 1992 (23rd) | Chaerul Umam | Ramadhan dan Ramona | |
| 1992 (23rd) | Arifin C. Noer | Bibir Mer | |
| 1992 (23rd) | Chaerul Umam | Nada dan Dakwah | |
| 1992 (23rd) | Galeb Husein | Kuberikan Segalanya | |
| 1992 (23rd) | Putu Wijaya | Plong (Naik Daun) | |
| 1993 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1994 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1995 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1996 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1997 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1998 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 1999 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |

### 2000s

| Year | Recipient | Film | Ref |
| 2000 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 2001 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 2002 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 2003 | NOT HELD | NOT HELD | NOT HELD |
| 2004 (24th) | Rudy Soedjarwo | Ada Apa dengan Cinta? | |
| 2004 (24th) | Nia Dinata | Arisan! | |
| 2004 (24th) | Riri Riza | Eliana, Eliana | |
| 2004 (24th) | Rudy Soedjarwo | Mengejar Matahari | |
| 2004 (24th) | Slamet Rahardjo | Marsinah: Cry Justice | |
| 2005 (25th) | Hanung Bramantyo | Brownies | |
| 2005 (25th) | Hanny Saputra | Virgin | |
| 2005 (25th) | Joko Anwar | Janji Joni | |
| 2005 (25th) | Riri Riza | Gie | |
| 2005 (25th) | Rudy Soedjarwo | Tentang Dia | |
| 2006 (26th) | Nayato Fio Nuala REVOKED | Ekskul | |
| 2006 (26th) | Hanny Saputra | Heart | |
| 2006 (26th) | John de Rantau | Denias, Senandung di Atas Awan | |
| 2006 (26th) | Nia Dinata | Berbagi Suami | |
| 2006 (26th) | Teddy Soeriaatmadja | Ruang | |
| 2007 (27th) | Hanung Bramantyo (2) | Get Married | |
| 2007 (27th) | Deddy Mizwar | Nagabonar Jadi 2 | |
| 2007 (27th) | Hanung Bramantyo | Kamulah Satu-Satunya | |
| 2007 (27th) | Rako Prijanto | Merah Itu Cinta | |
| 2007 (27th) | Rudy Soedjarwo | Mengejar Mas-Mas | |
| 2008 (28th) | Mouly Surya | Fiksi. | |
| 2008 (28th) | Garin Nugroho | Under the Tree | |
| 2008 (28th) | Rachmania Arunita | Lost in Love | |
| 2008 (28th) | Upi Avianto | Radit & Jani | |
| 2008 (28th) | Viva Westi | May | |
| 2009 (29th) | Aria Kusumadewa | Identitas | |
| 2009 (29th) | Djenar Maesa Ayu | Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet! | |
| 2009 (29th) | Hanung Bramantyo | Perempuan Berkalung Sorban | |
| 2009 (29th) | Ratna Sarumpaet | Jamila dan Sang Presiden | |
| 2009 (29th) | Teddy Soeriaatmadja | Ruma Maida | |

### 2010s

| Year | Recipient | Film |
| 2010 (30th) | Benni Setiawan | 3 Hati Dua Dunia Satu Cinta |
| 2010 (30th) | Angga Dwimas Sasongko | Hari Untuk Amanda |
| 2010 (30th) | Awi Suryadi | I Know What You Did on Facebook |
| 2010 (30th) | Deddy Mizwar | Alangkah Lucunya (Negeri Ini) |
| 2010 (30th) | Lola Amaria | Minggu Pagi di Victoria Park |
| 2011 (31st) | Ifa Isfansyah | The Dancer |
| 2011 (31st) | Benni Setiawan | Masih Bukan Cinta Biasa |
| 2011 (31st) | Hanung Bramantyo | ? |
| 2011 (31st) | Hanung Bramantyo | Tendangan dari Langit |
| 2011 (31st) | Kamila Andini | The Mirror Never Lies |
| 2012 (32nd) | Herwin Novianto | Tanah Surga... Katanya |
| 2012 (32nd) | Erwin Arnada | Rumah di Seribu Ombak |
| 2012 (32nd) | Hanung Bramantyo | Perahu Kertas |
| 2012 (32nd) | Sammaria Simanjuntak | Demi Ucok |
| 2012 (32nd) | Teddy Soeriaatmadja | Lovely Man |
| 2013 (33rd) | Rako Prijanto | Sang Kiai |
| 2013 (33rd) | Dinna Jasanti | Laura and Marsha |
| 2013 (33rd) | Hanung Bramantyo & Hestu Saputra | Cinta Tapi Beda |
| 2013 (33rd) | Rizal Mantovani | 5 cm |
| 2013 (33rd) | Upi Avianto | Belenggu |
| 2014 (34th) | Adriyanto Dewo | Tabula Rasa |
| 2014 (34th) | Rako Prijanto | 3 Nafas Likas |
| 2014 (34th) | Lucky Kuswandi | In the Absence of the Sun |
| 2014 (34th) | Hanung Bramantyo | Soekarno |
| 2014 (34th) | Riri Riza | Sokola Rimba |
| 2015 (35th) | Joko Anwar | A Copy of My Mind |
| 2015 (35th) | Angga Dwimas Sasongko | Filosofi Kopi |
| 2015 (35th) | Benni Setiawan | Toba Dreams |
| 2015 (35th) | Eddie Cahyono | Siti |
| 2015 (35th) | Ismail Basbeth | The Crescent Moon |
| 2016 (36th) | Riri Riza | Athirah |
| 2016 (36th) | Timo Tjahjanto & Kimo Stamboel (as The Mo Brothers) | Headshot |
| 2016 (36th) | Yosep Anggi Noen | Solo, Solitude |
| 2016 (36th) | Upi Avianto | My Stupid Boss |
| 2016 (36th) | Pritagita Arianegara | Salawaku |
| 2017 (37th) | Edwin | Posesif |
| 2017 (37th) | Emil Heradi | Night Bus |
| 2017 (37th) | Ernest Prakasa | Check the Store Next Door |
| 2017 (37th) | Hanung Bramantyo | Kartini |
| 2017 (37th) | Joko Anwar | Satan's Slaves |
| 2017 (37th) | Ody C. Harahap | Sweet 20 |
| 2018 (38th) | Mouly Surya (2) | Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts |
| 2018 (38th) | Kamila Andini | The Seen and Unseen |
| 2018 (38th) | Edwin | Aruna & Her Palate |
| 2019 (39th) | Garin Nugroho | Memories of My Body |
| 2019 (39th) | Gina S. Noer | Two Blue Stripes |
| 2019 (39th) | Hanung Bramantyo | This Earth of Mankind |
| 2019 (39th) | Ravi L. Bharwani | 27 Steps of May |
| 2019 (39th) | Riri Riza | Glorious Days |

### 2020s

| Year | Recipient | Film |
| 2020 (40th) | Joko Anwar (2) | Impetigore |
| 2020 (40th) | Faozan Rizal | Abracadabra |
| 2020 (40th) | Riri Riza | Humba Dreams |
| 2020 (40th) | Sim F | Susi Susanti: Love All |
| 2020 (40th) | Yosep Anggi Noen | The Science of Fictions |
| 2021 (41st) | Wregas Bhanuteja | Photocopier |
| 2021 (41st) | Aria Kusumadewa | Angel Finds Wings |
| 2021 (41st) | Kamila Andini | Yuni |
| 2021 (41st) | Lucky Kuswandi | Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens |
| 2021 (41st) | Randolph Zaini | Preman: Silent Fury |
| 2021 (41st) | Riri Riza | Paranoia |
| 2022 (42nd) | Edwin (2) | Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash |
| 2022 (42nd) | Bene Dion Rajagukguk | Missing Home |
| 2022 (42nd) | Kamila Andini | Before, Now & Then |
| 2022 (42nd) | Angga Dwimas Sasongko | Stealing Raden Saleh |
| 2022 (42nd) | Makbul Mubarak | Autobiography |
| 2023 (43rd) | Jeremias Nyangoen | Women from Rote Island |
| 2023 (43rd) | Gina S. Noer | Like & Share |
| 2023 (43rd) | Timo Tjahjanto | The Big 4 |
| 2023 (43rd) | Wregas Bhanuteja | Andragogy |
| 2023 (43rd) | Yosep Anggi Noen | 24 Hours with Gaspar |
| 2024 (44th) | Garin Nugroho | Samsara |
| 2024 (44th) | Edwin | Borderless Fog |
| 2024 (44th) | Joko Anwar | Grave Torture |
| 2024 (44th) | Tumpal Tampubolon | Crocodile Tears |
| 2024 (44th) | Yandy Laurens | Falling In Love Like In Movies |

## Multiple wins and nominations

| Wins | Nominations | Director |
| 6 | 9 | Teguh Karya |
| 2 | 11 | Hanung Bramantyo |
| 2 | 8 | Arifin C. Noer |
| 2 | 7 | Slamet Rahardjo |
| 2 | 6 | Sjumandjaja |
| 2 | 4 | Joko Anwar |
| 2 | 3 | Edwin |
| 2 | 2 | Mouly Surya |
| 1 | 7 | Riri Riza |
| 1 | 5 | Chaerul Umam |
| 1 | 4 | Benni Setiawan, Garin Nugroho, Rako Prijanto, Rudy Soedjarwo, Wim Umboh |
| 1 | 3 | Ami Priyono |
| 1 | 2 | Aria Kusumadewa, Frank Rorimpandey, Ismail Soebardjo, Nico Pelamonia, Wregas Bhanuteja |
| 0 | 4 | Kamila Andini |
| 0 | 3 | Angga Dwimas Sasongko, Eduart Pesta Sirait, Sophan Sophiaan, Teddy Soeriaatmadja, Upi Avianto, Yosep Anggi Noen |
| 0 | 2 | Asrul Sani, Buce Malawau, Deddy Mizwar, Galeb Husein, Gina S. Noer, Hanny Saputra, Imam Tantowi, Lucky Kuswandi, Nia Dinata, Putu Wijaya, Timo Tjahjanto, Wahyu Sihombing |

### Explanatory notes

* ↑ The award was revoked in 2007 due to copyright violation found in the film.