RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Australia Indonesia Film Festival (FSAI) 2026 has returned with a wider reach, bringing contemporary films and creative industry collaboration programs to 11 cities across Indonesia from May 8 to May 23. The annual event aims at boosting cultural ties and cooperation between Indonesia and Australia through cinema.

This year’s festival opened in Jakarta on Thursday, 7 May 2026 with the screening of Kangaroo, a drama-comedy set in the Australian outback and inspired by the true story of Chris “Brolga” Barns, founder of The Kangaroo Sanctuary. The opening marked the start of screenings and activities that will travel across multiple Indonesian cities.

FSAI 2026 also provides audiences with access to selected films from both countries while creating opportunities for dialogue among filmmakers and creative industry players. Organizers said the festival continues to grow as a platform for artistic exchange and collaboration.

Australian award-winning cinematographer, Andrew Commis, attended the opening ceremony in Jakarta as part of this year’s program. His presence reflected the festival’s role in connecting industry professionals from both nations.

In addition, Commis said the festival creates opportunities for stronger communication and future collaboration between Indonesian and Australian filmmakers. He noted that both countries share close geographic ties but do not always connect often enough.

“With our filmmaking, hopefully we can collaborate and communicate about what is happening in Indonesia, which is a geographically very close partner, but we are not always able to connect as often as we would like,” he said. He affirmed the importance of building stronger creative links through events such as FSAI.

He added that he was impressed by the scale of the festival and its nationwide reach. “This is my first time at this festival, I am very excited. I did not realize how extensive this festival is and that it travels to 11 different regions, including Makassar,” he said.

In addition to screenings, FSAI 2026 features cinematography and documentary production masterclasses led by Australian film experts. The festival also introduces its first-ever “Screen on the Green” program at Bogor Botanical Gardens, offering audiences an open-air cinema experience.