"The Sea Speaks His Name" Selected as Closing Film of Jakarta Film Week 2026

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Laut Bercerita (The Sea Speaks His Name), directed by Yosep Anggi Noen, has been chosen as the closing film of Jakarta Film Week (JFW) 2026. The adaptation of Leila S. Chudori’s novel will be screened on October 25, 2026, marking the end of the festival.

Jakarta Film Week 2026 runs from October 21 to 25, 2026. The screening of Laut Bercerita will coincide with the announcement and awarding of the competition’s winning films.

Producer and Pal 8 Pictures Director, Budi Setyarso, welcomed the selection of Laut Bercerita as JFW 2026’s closing film. He said the film addresses an important issue for public discussion, particularly freedom of expression.

“We are grateful and proud that Laut Bercerita has been selected as the closing film of Jakarta Film Week 2026. This is a film that we believe is important for Indonesian audiences to watch at this time,” said Budi in an official statement on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

The film’s inclusion in JFW 2026 continues its momentum on the international stage. Earlier, it had its world premiere in the main competition of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) 2026.

At BIFF, Laut Bercerita is scheduled to screen from October 10 to 14, 2026. Its program includes Q&A sessions and special screenings for media and international film industry professionals.

Producer Gita Fara said BIFF and JFW form an important part of the film’s early journey before meeting Indonesian audiences. She described JFW as a space to bring the film to viewers and spark conversation around works dealing with significant issues.

“BIFF and JFW are important platforms in the early journey of Laut Bercerita to meet its audience. With its screening at JFW 2026, we hope to ignite earlier conversations among Indonesian viewers,” said Gita.

The JFW 2026 screening is also part of the lead-up to the film’s theatrical release in Indonesia. It is scheduled to open nationwide in cinemas on October 29, 2026.

Laut Bercerita is adapted from the novel of the same title by Leila S. Chudori. Yosep Anggi Noen directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Chudori.

The film stars Reza Rahadian as Laut, Yunita Siregar as Asmara, Eva Celia as Anjani, and Dian Sastrowardoyo as Kinanti. Christine Hakim and Arswendy Bening Swara play Laut and Asmara’s parents.

Also appearing are Yoga Pratama and Kevin Julio. The cast further includes Ben Nugroho, Dewa Dayana, Nagra Kautsar, Ibnu Jamil, Natalius Chendana, and Afrian Arisandy.

Laut Bercerita is produced by Gita Fara, Leila S. Chudori, and Budi Setyarso. It is produced by Pal 8 Pictures in collaboration with VMS Studio, Jagartha, Lynx Films, Gambar Gerak Film, and Brandlink. (Annaila Azzahra-EN)