[1][2][3] Garin Nugroho is the most recent winner with his film Samsara at the 2024 ceremony.

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.

[5] 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.

Ida Farida holds the distinction as the first woman director to receive a nomination with Semua Sayang Kamu in 1989.