[2] In 1962, however, Pelamonia enrolled at the Indonesian National Theater Academy (Akademi Teater Nasional Indonesia, or ATNI).
[3] During his school years he acted in two films, D. Djajakusuma's Masa Topan dan Badai (Time of Storms and Gales; 1963) and Pitrajaya Burnama's Karma (1965).
[3] Pelamonia's first film for the company, Fadjar Ditengah Kabut (Dawn Amidst the Fog), saw him act and serve as assistant director to Danu Umbara.
The following year he directed his first film since returning from West Germany, Jang Djatuh Dikaki Lelaki (Those Who Fall at the Feet of Men) from the novel by Abdullah Harahap.
His 1981 adaptation of Marga T's Dr. Karmila garnered him another Citra Award nomination,[7] although he lost to Arifin C. Noer of Serangan Fajar (Attack at Dawn).