Jakarta — The Jakarta Youth Film Festival (J-Youth Film Fest) 2026 officially kicked off on Tuesday (February 3, 2026) at Djakarta Theater XXI, Central Jakarta. The short film festival for young creators marks a significant milestone in strengthening Jakarta’s film ecosystem and represents the realization of an idea initiated by Jakarta Vice Governor Rano Karno, with full support from Bank Indonesia (BI) Jakarta Provincial Office.
Rano Karno’s Idea: Film as Identity, Creativity, and Economic Power
In his opening remarks, Vice Governor Rano Karno emphasized that J-Youth Film Fest is more than a film competition. It is part of a long-term strategy to position Jakarta as a “City of Cinema.” According to Rano, film is not merely entertainment but a powerful medium to build public awareness, strengthen cultural identity, and foster creative character, particularly among younger generations.
Rano Karno expressed optimism that within the next two years, J-Youth Film Fest could grow into an international-scale film festival, provided that a sustainable ecosystem is built—covering policy, regulation, film education, production facilities, and appreciation for young filmmakers.
Bank Indonesia’s Role: Creative Economy as a Growth Driver
Bank Indonesia Jakarta Provincial Office, represented by Head of BI Jakarta Iwan Setiawan, stated that the institution fully supports Rano Karno’s vision by placing J-Youth Film Fest within the framework of the Jakarta Creative Festival (JKF) 2026 and the Jakarta Economic Forum (JEF) 2026.
According to Iwan, the festival is part of Bank Indonesia’s commitment to promoting the creative economy, especially the film sector, which has strong potential to create jobs, generate added value, and enhance Jakarta’s economic competitiveness.
Beyond a short film competition, J-Youth Film Fest also serves as a collaborative platform for students and university participants to channel their creativity while aligning young talent with Jakarta’s urban development goals. The festival includes competitive and non-competitive screenings, educational programs, workshops, film discussions, and public screenings.
“Jakarta Kota Kita”: Film as a Reflection of Urban Identity
The theme “Jakarta Kota Kita” (Jakarta, Our City) invites young filmmakers to reflect on the city’s diversity, daily life, and social dynamics through cinematic storytelling. Rano Karno hopes the festival will produce films that are not only artistically strong but also function as authentic voices representing Jakarta.
Contribution to Jakarta’s Creative Economy
J-Youth Film Fest is expected to act as a catalyst for the broader creative economy, with spillover effects reaching supporting sectors such as hospitality, transportation, culinary businesses, and creative services. Through cross-sector collaboration between Bank Indonesia and the Jakarta Provincial Government, the festival is positioned as both a talent incubator and an economic driver for the city.
About J-Youth Film Fest 2026
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Event: Jakarta Youth Film Festival (J-Youth Film Fest) 2026
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Theme: Jakarta Kota Kita
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Organizers: Bank Indonesia Jakarta Provincial Office in collaboration with the Jakarta Provincial Government
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Participants: High school and university students
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Programs: Short film competition, workshops, education programs, film screenings, and discussions
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Part of: Jakarta Creative Festival (JKF) 2026 & Jakarta Economic Forum (JEF) 2026
