On August 29, 2025, Layar Institut Seni Indonesia unfolded in full force. The cool Yogyakarta night, 245 unwavering pairs of eyes, and a screen standing tall at the heart of the Boulevard campus. This was more than just a film screening it was a statement. A cinema space does not always need thick walls; sometimes, it only needs people willing to sit and watch.
Sewon Screening 11 returns at the dawn of a new decade. After a successful Layar Tandang debut in the City of Heroes, Surabaya, the festival has now arrived in Semarang the historic City of Atlas. This stop marks another milestone in the vibrancy of local cinema, as Sewon Screening 11 lands with a powerful program and opens not just one, but two doors of opportunity, the Sewon Short Film Fund for community filmmakers, and the Layar Indonesiana Short Film Production Competition with national reach.
Surabaya, 2025 — Sewon Screening returns with a new statement: to bring films to more audiences. In its official statement, this film festival is intended for all groups. But in reality, many new viewers still don’t really understand what a film festival is, how to enjoy it, and why the experience of watching at a festival is different.
The world might be modern now, but outdoor cinemas or layar tancap, as we call them are still beloved and eagerly awaited. There’s a growing nostalgia for the past, when outdoor screenings were part of everyday life. Watching a movie together under the stars has become rare, but the demand for that cozy, communal experience remains strong. In many places, people still long to relive those moments back when cinemas weren’t as luxurious or crowded as they are today. What makes layar tancap even more special? Most of them are completely free! Anyone can come, enjoy a film, and build connections no ticket required.
As we prepare to continue the journey with Sewon Screening 11, it is worth looking back on the previous year to revisit a special moment the tenth edition of Sewon Screening. Over the years, the festival has successfully curated a variety of programs, but two in particular drew significant attention: the Faculty of Visual Arts Screening and the Faculty of Performing Arts Screening. These programs were held on August 1, 2024, at the ISI Yogyakarta Boulevard and on August 10, 2024, at the Visual Arts Faculty Plaza. They presented a compelling lineup of films that invited audiences to reflect on life, personal expression, and the complexities of social relationships. Through the medium of art, the programs offered viewers a powerful emotional experience, touching on the deeper layers of the human condition.
“Fresh wind from the South” a familiar phrase for us as followers of the Sewon Screening film festival. This signature chant is always heard as a sign that the festival is about to begin. But what does this phrase truly mean? And what meaning lies behind it?
