Semarang Mayor Backs Lawang Sewu Going International Through LOFF 2026
Agustina likewise appreciates the consistency of the film community, academics, and the younger generation who since last year have succeeded in laying the initial foundations of this cultural movement. This year, LOFF 2026 carries the theme ‘A Thousand Doors to World Cinema: Semarang Narrates for World Stories’. The theme symbolises the convergence of the city’s historical values and contemporary cinematic creative expression.
“Lawang Sewu, meaning a thousand doors, is likened to a door wide open for domestic filmmakers to tell their stories to the world. Through this festival, we want to make Semarang a productive space where tradition meets creative innovation, and at the same time a bridge for Indonesian short films to go global,” said Agustina in a written statement on Saturday, 23 May 2026.
“Agustina explained that LOFF 2026’s programme will run from May to October. Unlike in previous years, this festival is designed to present the Lawang Talks discussion forum, the Workshop & Mini Lab workshops, funding stimulus through the LOFF Film Fund, and an exhibition space at LOFF Market and Film Week.
She emphasised that the upstream and downstream programme series constitutes government support for the sustainability of the creative industry in the region. The Semarang City Government is striving to facilitate spaces for digital industry players to be able to produce works with high economic value without losing their local cultural identity.
“The Semarang City Government provides full support so that our creative industry has a healthy space to grow through a spirit of learning, creating, and navigating. We want to facilitate young creators so that they are not only productive in creating works but can also sail to bring local narratives to broader commercial stages,” said Agustina.
Agustina revealed that the festival’s launch also marks a strengthening of competition quality standards through the involvement of national film figures. Top-tier filmmakers such as Hanung Bramantyo, Nirina Zubir, and Yandy Laurens are confirmed to participate directly as a jury panel to provide assessments based on industry standards.
Agustina hopes that the involvement of these professionals can trigger a massive knowledge transfer for Indonesia’s short-film community. She is also optimistic that the synergy between government facilities, historical spaces, and guidance from industry experts will accelerate the realisation of Semarang as a Cinematic City—globally competitive.
“The presence of national senior filmmakers as the jury panel becomes a very valuable benchmark for participants to test the quality of their work. I hope that through this festival a new generation will emerge that is creatively independent and able to make the film sector a new engine driving the city’s economy,” she concluded.