Jakarta Film Week 2026 Prepares Special Collaborations with Europe

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and European countries are growing closer through the language of cinema. Through partnerships with cultural institutions from Italy, the Netherlands, and France, Jakarta Film Week (JFW) 2026, that will be held 21-25 October 2026, is demonstrating that the silver screen can serve as an effective bridge for cultural exchange.

“This year, we are very pleased to be collaborating with many partners, including the Embassy of Italy, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura Jakarta, and Cinecittà. Thank you, Mr. Michelle Cavallaro. JFW will feature ‘Italian Screen,’ a program showcasing Italian films,” said Jakarta Film Week 2026 Festival Director, Rina Damayanti, during a press conference at a shopping mall in the Tanah Abang area of Central Jakarta on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

As reported by Antara, the films to be screened as part of Italian Screen include Duse, directed by Pietro Marcello, and The Tasters, directed by Silvio Soldini.

JFW’s ties with European cinema are being further expanded through an ongoing partnership with the Embassy of the Netherlands and Erasmus Huis. The collaboration is marked by the launch of the Dutch Bioscoop program at JFW 2026, which focuses on screenings of Dutch films.

JFW 2026’s cinematic partnerships with European countries are also being strengthened through its collaboration with the Embassy of France and the Institut Français Indonesia (IFI) Jakarta.

One of the most highly anticipated programs at this year’s JFW is Next Step Studio, a collaborative initiative between Indonesia and France. The program features an anthology comprising four short films made by young Indonesian filmmakers in collaboration with directors from across Southeast Asia.

Before being brought to JFW 2026, the collaborative project held its world premiere during a special session of La Semaine de la Critique, or Cannes Critics’ Week, at the Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2026.

The four short films in the anthology are Holy Crowd, directed by Reza Fahriyansyah in collaboration with Ananth Subramaniam, and Original Wound, directed by Shelby Kho with Sein Lyan Tun. The anthology also includes Annisa, which brings together Reza Rahadian and Sam Manacsa, as well as Mothers Are Mothering, directed by Khozy Rizal in collaboration with Lam Li Shuen.

Meanwhile, Empat Musim Pertiwi (Four Seasons in Java), directed by Kamila Andini, has been selected as Indonesia’s Oscar candidate. The film also brings together production companies from several countries, including Indonesia, France, and the Netherlands.

The film will be screened at Jakarta Film Week 2026 after being selected for the Global Feature Official Selection category. It will be presented alongside 9 Temples to Heaven, directed by Sompot Chidgasornpongse, Erupcja, directed by Pete Ohs, and Too Many Beasts, directed by Sarah Arnold.

Another highly anticipated film is the closing film of JFW 2026, Laut Bercerita (The Sea Speaks His Name), directed by Yosep Anggi Noen and starring prominent actors Reza Rahadian, Dian Sastrowardoyo, and Christine Hakim.

Rina said that the theme of JFW 2026, Encounter, carries a profound message for industry professionals. She explained that every encounter creates opportunities for collaboration, friendship, learning, and mutual understanding.

“Jakarta is the right city for these encounters. Through the spirit of Encounter, we want to make Jakarta Film Week a meeting point for young talents, the courage to create, the courage to experiment, and the courage to make their voices heard. It is a meeting point for creativity and collaboration, and a meeting point between Jakarta and the world,” said Rina. ***