A

ctors and actresses joining the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) held in Semarang, Central Java, were scheduled to join a mass exercise on Saturday morning together with thousands of locals at City Hall.

Head of Central Java Culture and Tourism Agency Prasetyo Aribowo said the exercise was to be held from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. '€œPeople are welcome to take pictures with their respective idols after the exercise,'€ Prasetyo said in Semarang on Friday.

The mass exercise is part of a series of programs held ahead of the FFI event, slated for Saturday. Around 300 actresses and actors are expected to attended the FFI.

The nuance of the festival has been strongly felt in the city since last weekend with the free screening programs of nominated movies.

Since Thursday, a people'€™s market has also been open in Pancasila Square in the Simpang Lima area in which the province promotes its batik products to the visiting actresses and actors.

'€œWe have plenty of choices including the Javanese, Chinese and Arabic motifs,'€ Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said.

Meanwhile, Semarang Mayor Hendrar Prihadi said that Central Java SMEs could take advantage of the FFI by joining the exhibition to promote their products.

Thirty-five regencies and municipalities are participating in the exhibition, which includes 70 booths and will run until Saturday.

Local bands are also performing for free to entertain festival-goers.