Australia-Indonesia Film Festival Returns for 11th Year
The Australia-Indonesia Film Festival (FSAI) is set to return for its 11th edition in 2026, continuing its mission to strengthen cultural ties between the two nations through cinema. Scheduled to run from May 8 to May 23, 2026, the festival will take place across 11 Indonesian cities: Jakarta, Manado, Semarang, Medan, Bogor, Makassar, Surabaya, Kupang, Banjarmasin, Yogyakarta and Mataram.
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Rod Brazier emphasized the festival’s significance as a milestone in the bilateral creative partnership, stating that FSAI has evolved into a vital platform for Australian and Indonesian filmmakers to collaborate. “The main goal is to strengthen the relationship between Australia and Indonesia at a people-to-people level by sharing each other’s films,” he said.
This year’s program features seven curated feature films and four short films, including works by Australian Awards participants. A highlight of the festival is the debut of “Screen on the Green,” an open-air cinema experience hosted in the Bogor Botanical Gardens, offering audiences a unique opportunity to enjoy films in a serene outdoor setting.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar highlighted the festival’s broader impact on the creative economy, noting that FSAI facilitates not only cultural exchange but also technical collaboration and market access for Indonesian filmmakers. She described the event as more than a festival—it is a collaborative space that nurtures emerging talent and strengthens the national film industry.
The festival will open with Kangaroo, a family drama-comedy set in the Australian Outback, which explores themes of community and connection. In addition to screenings, FSAI 2026 will host masterclasses in cinematography and documentary film production led by Australian experts, including Andrew Commis, cinematographer of The Force of Nature: The Dry 2, and Associate Professor Michelle Johnston from Curtin University.
All film screenings and events are free of charge, though seating is limited. Further details are available at fsai.id. Media inquiries can be directed to [email protected], and photos from the event are accessible via the Australian Embassy Indonesia’s Flickr album.