Laut Bercerita Selected for Busan International Film Festival 2026 Competition

JAKARTA, Jakartaweekly.com — Laut Bercerita, directed by Yosep Anggi Noen, has been selected to compete in the main competition program at the 2026 Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in Busan, South Korea.

Pal8 Pictures’ debut feature will compete against international films for the Best Film award at the festival, which will take place from Oct. 6 to 15, 2026.

The film’s screening at BIFF 2026 will also mark its world premiere, ahead of its nationwide theatrical release in Indonesia on Oct. 29, 2026.

Producer Gita Fara said BIFF provides an ideal platform to introduce the film to international audiences, particularly audiences across Asia.

“Busan International Film Festival is the right platform for the first audience to see this film. It is a story from Indonesia that will be seen by Asian and international cinema audiences,” Gita said in a written statement on Tuesday (Sept. 1, 2026).

She said the Busan screening is expected to broaden discussions across Asia about the importance of bringing the story to the screen.

“We hope the screening in Busan will also spark broader conversations across Asia about why this story is important to tell,” she said.

Meanwhile, Yosep Anggi Noen described BIFF as an important festival for Asian and global cinema. He said Laut Bercerita’s participation in the main competition provides an opportunity to bring an important Indonesian story to an international audience.

“Busan is a major and important festival for Asian and global cinema. Being part of the main competition, Laut Bercerita brings a story that deserves to be heard around the world,” Anggi said.

The film’s participation in BIFF also holds personal significance for Anggi. About 19 years ago, early in his filmmaking career, he attended a workshop for emerging filmmakers in Busan.

“Nineteen years ago, at the beginning of my filmmaking career, I attended a workshop for emerging filmmakers in Busan. Now, I am very happy to return to Busan with this film,” he said.

Anggi added that the growing presence of Indonesian films at international festivals demonstrates the global relevance of stories from Indonesia.

“Indonesian films are now being shown around the world, proving that stories from Indonesia have global relevance. At the same time, their quality continues to improve, allowing them to stand alongside world-class films,” he said.

A Potential Path to the Academy Awards

The 2026 edition marks the 31st Busan International Film Festival. BIFF is recognized as one of the Asian film festivals that meets the requirements set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for certain Academy Awards eligibility pathways.

Changes to the rules for the 99th Academy Awards have expanded the eligibility pathway for the Best International Feature Film category. Under the revised rules, the Best Film winner at BIFF may be submitted for consideration in the Best International Feature Film category, separately from the official national submission process.

Adapted from Leila S. Chudori’s Novel

Laut Bercerita is adapted from the bestselling novel of the same title by Indonesian author Leila S. Chudori. Yosep Anggi Noen directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Chudori. The 135-minute drama is intended for audiences aged 17 and above.

Set in Yogyakarta in the late 1990s, the film follows growing tensions on university campuses after three students are arrested for distributing banned books.

The story centers on Biru Laut, a university student with a passion for reading and writing. He joins the Winatra study group alongside Daniel, Alex, Sunu and their friends.

The group soon realizes that fighting for freedom of expression is far from easy. They continue their activism until one night, when Laut and several of his friends disappear without a trace.

Laut’s parents, his younger sister Asmara Jati and his friends then embark on a long search for answers about the whereabouts of those who have disappeared.

The film stars Reza Rahadian, Yunita Siregar, Eva Celia, Christine Hakim, Arswendy Bening Swara, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Yoga Pratama, Kevin Julio, 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. The film is produced by Pal8 Pictures in collaboration with VMS Studio, Jagartha, Lynx Films, Gambar Gerak Film and Brandlink.

Laut Bercerita will have its world premiere at BIFF 2026 in October and is scheduled for release in Indonesian cinemas on Oct. 29, 2026.