When Prilly Latuconsina's message came through, Morgan Oey just kept typing. Then re-typing. Then typing again. He genuinely wasn't sure if Indonesia's biggest film festival was offering him an ambassadorship  or pulling an elaborate prank.

It was real.

On June 18, 2026, at a sun-drenched press conference held at Hutan Kota by Plataran in Senayan, Jakarta  the kind of venue where light filters through green canopies and the Jakarta hum fades just enough  the Komite Festival Film Indonesia officially launched FFI 2026. And with it, named Morgan Oey and Nirina Zubir as the festival's two ambassadors

What Is FFI 2026 And Who Are the Ambassadors?

Festival Film Indonesia (FFI) is Indonesia's oldest and most prestigious national film awards  the equivalent of the country's Oscars, complete with the coveted Piala Citra trophy. FFI 2026, chaired again by actor-filmmaker Ario Bayu, officially began on June 18, 2026, at Hutan Kota by Plataran, Jakarta. The awards night is scheduled for November 20, 2026. Duta FFI 2026 are actor Morgan Oey and actress Nirina Zubir, chosen to represent the festival to the public and the industry throughout the year.

Morgan Oey is best known to younger Indonesian audiences through his appearance in director Joko Anwar's acclaimed film Pengepungan di Bukit Duri, which earned him his first Piala Citra nomination for Best Actor in 2025. Nirina Zubir is a two-time Piala Citra Best Actress winner  for Heart (2006) and Jatuh Cinta Seperti di Film-Film (2024).

Why Morgan Oey? The Answer Is More Interesting Than You'd Expect
Most ambassador picks are about fame. This one was framed differently.

Komite chair Ario Bayu put it plainly at the press conference: "Morgan is one extraordinary talent. They're great storytellers. They can harness every capacity they have to tell stories that are relevant to Indonesia."

"As an ambassador, I see it as an honor  and a chance to learn. So I hope I don't take it for granted."  Morgan Oey, FFI 2026 press conference, Jakarta

Here's the counterintuitive part: Morgan almost turned it down. Not because he didn't want it  but because he felt he hadn't earned it yet. He's been in the industry for years, but his film career is still early. That self-awareness is exactly why the committee wanted him.

Prilly Latuconsina, who serves as Ketua Bidang Program for FFI 2026, admitted she's been a fan of Morgan since junior high. Committee member Rangga Djoned added that Morgan's willingness to take on wildly different roles  and succeed  was the deciding factor: "His range is massive. His growth has been significant."

What Is "Askala Karya Sinema Indonesia"?

This year's theme translates roughly to "The Scale of Indonesian Cinema's Works." But the philosophy behind it is more poetic than the words suggest.

FFI 2026 builds on the idea that light always finds its way. Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon explained it at the launch: "Before cinema had a screen, it had light. Light is not just a technical element of cinematography  it is a symbol of knowledge, hope, and memory."

The theme is a deliberate push to position Indonesian film not just as entertainment, but as a living archive of the country's cultural identity  and a competitive product on the global stage.

How Does FFI 2026 Work?

Films eligible for FFI 2026 must have screened  in cinemas, on streaming platforms, at alternative screenings, or at film festivals in Indonesia  between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Registration is open from June 18 to August 31, 2026, through the official FFI website.

This year, the judging process has been streamlined to three stages: Early Selection, Nomination, and Winner Selection. A new category has also been added  Best Original Theme Song Composer, replacing the previous Best Theme Song Composer category.

FFI 2026 is also adding a Nomination Week  a public screening program of nominated films designed to make the festival more accessible to everyday audiences, not just industry insiders.