Javanese feminism in Yogyakarta-produced Javanese-language short films: An analysis of representation, comparative literature, and utility for higher education

This study examines representations of women in Javanese-language short films produced in Yogyakarta, identifies Javanese feminist values expressed through dialogue, symbols, and narrative, and considers their relevance for university-level Javanese literary studies. It addresses the need to interpret contemporary Javanese audiovisual works through locally grounded perspectives while engaging feminist and comparative literary scholarship. Using descriptive qualitative research, Javanese feminism, feminist discourse analysis, and comparative literature, the study analyzes Bakmi Kangen Rasa (2024), Mancing Mayit (2022), and Bendera Putih (2023). Data were gathered through repeated viewing, transcription, reading, note-taking, classroom observation, and interviews, then organized and interpreted through thematic and comparative analysis. The findings suggest that women appear as cultural, social, and moral subjects who exercise agency in domestic and communal settings rather than merely occupying subordinate roles. Their agency is articulated through tepa selira, critical nrima, gotong royong, inner fortitude, and moral courage in negotiating patriarchal relations. The study contributes a cultural-relational understanding of Javanese feminism and supports the use of short films for multimodal literary appreciation, gender-sensitive criticism, and comparative learning in higher education