The Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Diponegoro, successfully organized the Grand Final & Awarding Ceremony of Psych-Film Fest 2026: Undergrads Southeast Asian Psych-Film Fest on May 18, 2026, via Zoom meeting. The international event brought together psychology students from Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam to present short films addressing the theme “Psychology of Learning and Mental Health Issues.” The festival was designed as a new way to learn, combining project-based learning and community-engaged learning, which encouraged students to use psychological theories to tackle real-life problems through creative storytelling. Participants looked into various topics like mental health, academic stress, relationships, and overall well-being, turning their theoretical knowledge into meaningful stories.
The program featured screenings of finalist films, the selection of the top three winning teams representing Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, and the announcement of the Audience Favorite Award. Through the filmmaking process, students were encouraged to develop creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills while promoting awareness of mental health issues among wider communities. In her opening remarks, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, Prof. Dian Ratna Sawitri, emphasized that Psych-Film Fest serves as more than a film competition. “The Psych-Film Fest is more than a competition. It is a platform where psychology meets creativity, storytelling, and social impact,” she stated.
She highlighted that through film, students can transform psychological concepts into powerful narratives that raise awareness of mental health, human relationships, the psychology of learning, identity, diversity, and other important issues affecting contemporary society. Prof. Sawitri also congratulated all finalists for their dedication and creativity in communicating meaningful psychological messages through visual storytelling. According to her, regardless of the final results, every participant has made a valuable contribution by using film as a medium for empathy, education, and positive social change.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jati Ariati, the event PIC, highlighted the remarkable enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated by students throughout the competition. She reported that the festival attracted 157 participants from four Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia, reflecting a growing interest in creative and collaborative learning across the region. According to her, the event provided a meaningful opportunity for students to transform psychological concepts into impactful visual narratives while addressing real-world mental health issues.
“Behind every film is a story of hard work, creativity, and commitment. We are delighted to see students apply psychological theories in meaningful ways and communicate important messages about mental health through film,” she said. Dr. Ariati also expressed her sincere appreciation to the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Diponegoro, partner institutions, judges, and organizing committee members for their continuous support and collaboration. She emphasized that the success of the festival demonstrated the power of international academic partnerships in creating innovative learning experiences and fostering student engagement beyond the classroom.
Beyond celebrating student achievements, Undergrads Southeast Asian Psych-Film Fest strengthened academic collaboration among Southeast Asian universities and promoted greater awareness of mental health through creative and impactful student-produced films. The event also reflected Universitas Diponegoro’s commitment to fostering international engagement, innovative teaching practices, and meaningful contributions to society through higher education.
