Jakarta Film Week 2026: 21-25 October, Theme Encounter
Jakarta Film Week (JFW) 2026 has been announced for 21-25 October 2026 with the theme 'Encounter'. This is the sixth edition of the annual international film festival, presented by the Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency and the Jakarta Film Commission.
More than 100 films from over 50 countries will screen at screening rooms and creative spaces across Jakarta, including CGV Grand Indonesia, Galeri Indonesia Kaya, Mercure Jakarta Cikini, Paviliun Raden Saleh ARTOTEL, Taman Ismail Marzuki, CGV FX Sudirman, and FX Sudirman.
Festival Director Rina Damayanti said the encounters theme was chosen to fully support the vision of Jakarta as a cinema city (Jakarta Kota Sinema). The pre-festival press conference was held at CGV Grand Indonesia, Jakarta, on Wednesday (23/9/2026).
A Meeting Point for Filmmakers Toward Jakarta Cinema City
The festival embraces the spirit of encounters as a meeting point for film practitioners and enthusiasts. Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno said in his remarks that the provincial government wants to realize Jakarta as a cinema city.
Enthusiasm for this year's festival has surged. JFW 2026 received more than 1,200 film submissions from 82 countries, plus 180 event proposals — a figure that keeps rising year after year.
Pre-festival activities began in March 2026 through the JFW360 program, which aims to bring the festival to more screening rooms and public spaces.
Opening Film Ah Girl and Closing Film Laut Bercerita
As its opening film, JFW 2026 will screen Ah Girl (2026) by Ang Geck Geck from Singapore, and will close with Laut Bercerita (2026) by Yosep Anggi Noen from Indonesia.
Several titles that have drawn attention at international festivals will also screen, from La Grazia (2025) by Paolo Sorrentino to Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (2026) by Jane Schoenbrun.
On the Indonesian cinema side, JFW hosts eagerly awaited premieres, including Togel (2026) by Yogi S and Harga Teman (2026) by Andrew Kose.
Jakarta Film Week 2026 Programs: Talent Hub to Family Time
JFW is also serious about developing young talent in film through various programs: the Jakarta Film Fund, JFW360, Global Feature, and other collaborative programs.
There is also the JFWNet-Industry Program for talent development — Producer Lab, Talent Hub, Pitching Forum, and Masterclass — fully supported by the Ministry of Culture. This year's Festival Ambassador is Ali Fikry, an 18-year-old young actor.
Beyond competition and talent-development programs, the festival also presents Sinema Warga, an inclusive cinema program screening films at Taman Bendera Pusaka, Taman Ismail Marzuki, and JakSinema. The Family Time program brings screenings for children and families over the weekend.
