RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI) is championing the film industry as a vital new engine for Jakarta’s economy through the launch of the Jakarta Youth Film Festival (JYFF) 2026. This inaugural initiative seeks to transform the capital into a Cinema City by leveraging the creative energy of its young population to drive long-term financial stability.

Head of the Bank Indonesia Representative Office for Jakarta, Iwan Setiawan, confirmed on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, that the festival is a cornerstone of the city’s vision to transform into a global Cinema City. The initiative stems from the belief that the film industry serves as a powerful endogenous growth factor that can trigger a significant multiplier effect across various sectors.

"JYFF was launched last February, and this festival is the first of its kind held to support Jakarta’s new economic growth," said Iwan, as quoted by Antara.

He further explained that the decision to focus on film was not merely a cultural gesture but a result of rigorous academic and empirical research presented during the Jakarta Economic Forum.

"We conducted an academic study during the Jakarta Economic Forum which indicated that creative economy branches, specifically film, are incredibly powerful drivers for endogenous growth. After studying the data, we realized just how potent this sector is," remarked Iwan.

The festival specifically targets Jakarta’s youth, who currently make up 50 percent of the city's population. By fostering a competitive creative environment, BI aims to channel this demographic energy into a sustainable economic ecosystem.

This effort is being carried out in close collaboration with the Jakarta Provincial Administration, aligning the central bank’s monetary perspective with the city’s urban development goals.

Moving forward, Bank Indonesia intends to strengthen synergies between the provincial administration and pentahelix stakeholders, encompassing academia, business, community, government, and media. This collaboration aims to ensure the creative economy remains a permanent fixture of Jakarta’s financial landscape.

Following its initial kickoff on February 3, the JYFF 2026 registration period closed on April 30. The inaugural event has already garnered significant interest, with approximately 230 original works submitted by young filmmakers ready to contribute to Jakarta's emerging identity as a cinematic hub. ***