Europe on Screen 2025 Concludes with A Powerful Message on Empowering Young Voices and Celebrating Diversity in Film

Event highlights include the announcement of the EoS 2025 SFPP Winners and the film screening of ‘The Boy with Pink Pants’

Jakarta, 22 June 2025 – Europe on Screen (EoS), the annual European Union (EU) Film Festival, officially concluded on Sunday, 22 June 2025 at Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel, Jakarta. Marking its 25 edition, EoS continues to serve as a cultural bridge between Europe and Indonesia by showcasing 55 films from 27 European countries in seven cities: Jakarta, Bandung, Denpasar, Medan, Surabaya, Sidoarjo and Yogyakarta. The selected film showcased the diverse themes and distinctive approaches of European cinema – reflective, humanist and thought-provoking – while also offering audience-friendly and entertaining stories for the wider audience.

The closing ceremony was graced by the EU Ambassador to Indonesia, H. E. Denis Chaibi, the Italian Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Roberto Colaminè, and the EoS 2025 Festival Co-Directors, Meninaputri Wismurti and Nauval Yazid, who shared their reflections on the festival’s silver jubilee.

“Europe on Screen has become EU’s flagship cultural event in Indonesia, offering the audiences a window into the richness and diversity of European culture and perspectives. The festival highlights not only grand narratives, but also social issues and fundamental values reflected in everyday life – through simple yet meaningful individual stories that make European cinema distinct and deeply relevant,” said H. E. Denis Chaibi, EU Ambassador to Indonesia.

The closing film for EoS 2025 was the poignant Italian drama, The Boy with Pink Pants – Il Ragazzo dai Pantaloni Rosa (2024), directed by Margherita Ferri. The film is inspired by the true story of Andrea Spezzacatena, a 15-year-old teenager who became a victim of bullying due to his self-expression. This film was one of Italy’s box-office hits in 2024, selected as an Official Selection at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2024, and received a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay at the David di Donatello Awards 2025.

“The selection of The Boy with Pink Pants as the closing film is an honour for us,” said H. E. Roberto Colaminè, Italian Ambassador to Indonesia. “We hope this story opens a space for reflection and broadens our understanding of the importance of empathy and acceptance of diversity.”

The EoS closing ceremony also served as the platform to announce the winners of the Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP), a competition dedicated to developing short film ideas and supporting emerging Indonesian filmmakers. This year’s judging panel included:

• Damar Ardi, producer of films such as Aum! (2021), Romantik Problematik (2022), Susuk: Kutukan Kecantikan (2023), and Pernikahan Arwah (2025);

• Marlina Machfud, Film Cultural Expert from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia; and 

• Sammaria Sari Simanjuntak, director of films such as Cin(T)a (2009), Demi Ucok (2012), and Tulang Belulang Tulang (2024).

“I am pleased to be involved in the judging session of EoS 2025 Short Film Pitching Project. Many finalists came from outside Jakarta, bringing fresh and bold ideas that tackle pressing social issues through their short film ideas. This proves that the Indonesian film industry is growing and not only centralised in Jakarta,” said Sammaria Simanjuntak, filmmaker and scriptwriter. 

The three winners of the EoS 2025 SFPP competition and their respective prizes are as follows:

1. First Winner

Sang Penjaga (Echoes of the Universe) by Sesarini and Lyza Anggraheni from Yogyakarta

Total prize value: IDR 64,000,000 including:

• IDR 13,000,000 in production funding from EoS

• IDR 6,000,000 in production funding from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia

• IDR 5,000,000 in production funding from SAE Indonesia

• Audio post-production facilities from SAE Indonesia (valued at IDR 10,000,000) 

• One in-person short course voucher for offline video editing from SAE Indonesia (valued at IDR 10,500,000)

• Two vouchers for in-person short courses on screenwriting from SAE Indonesia (valued at IDR 12,000,000)

• A 3-day, 2-night complimentary stay at the Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel (valued at IDR 5,000,000)

• A commemorative gift package from Kemala Home Living (valued at IDR 2,500,000)

2. Second Winner

Pool Party by Aisyah Aulia and Adrian Fauzi from Sumedang

Total prize value: IDR 40,000,000 including:

• IDR 11,000,000 in production funding from EoS

• IDR 5,000,000 in production funding from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia

• IDR 5,000,000 in production funding from SAE Indonesia

• Two vouchers for in-person short courses on screenwriting from SAE Indonesia (valued at IDR 12,000,000)

• A 3-day, 2-night complimentary stay at the Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel (valued at IDR 5,000,000)

• A commemorative gift package from Kemala Home Living (valued at IDR 2,000,000)

3. Third Winner

In The Name of Me by Teresa Katarina and Jonathan Gradiyan from Jakarta

Total prize value: IDR 30,000,000 including:

• IDR 8,500,000 in production funding from EoS

• IDR 4,000,000 in production funding from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia

• IDR 5,000,000 in production funding from SAE Indonesia

• One voucher for in-person short course on screenwriting from SAE Indonesia (valued at IDR 6,000,000)

• A 3-day, 2-night complimentary stay at the Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel (valued at IDR 5,000,000)

• A commemorative gift package from Kemala Home Living (valued at IDR 1,500,000).

4. Special Recommendation EOS 2025 SFPP 

Waktu Indonesia Bagian Pasifik by Dicky Karunia Abdi and M. Ilham Mustain Murda from Jayapura

Here are the judges' statements about the winning films:

1. Sang Penjaga (Echoes of the Universe)

A well-presented short film project that has a solid theme and story that is important to tell today. With a simple treatment and unique setting, this film has the potential for great production value and has a structured and systematic plan to meet its audience.

2. Pool Party

This story successfully presents a portrait of family life during the pandemic in a simple but touching way. The light-hearted humour and innocence of the children combine with the broader reality of digital distraction and social isolation. This story deserves second place for conveying its message in a subtle, original and soulful way.

3. In The Name of Me

The film stands out for its honest approach and heartfelt storytelling. The issue of inclusivity is conveyed through authentic and touching scenes, showing how identity and love can be found in spaces that are not always welcoming. This film is an important reflection on inclusivity, the courage to love oneself, and the beauty of sharing space with those who are different.

The EoS 2025 festival saw a significant achievement for the SFPP, with a record-breaking 367 submissions – an 86% increase from the previous year. Notably, 30% of these proposals came from outside Indonesia, reflecting the programme’s growing international appeal.

Meninaputri Wismurti, EoS 2025 Festival Co-Director, said, “The Europe on Screen Short Film Pitching Project is an inclusive and creative platform for young Indonesian  filmmakers to express diversity, while also serving as a space to exchange knowledge between the Indonesian and European film industries. Since its inception in 2018, SFPP has supported 20 films in seven batches of Indonesian short films. We hope this programme can continuously be supported by the audience, media and our festival partners.”

Nauval Yazid, EoS 2025 Festival Co-Director, added, “Short films produced through SFPP have been screened in various festivals in Indonesia and abroad. This reinforces our commitment to raising the quality of submissions and the short films produced. We aim to ensure that this programme remains a vital part of EoS’s mission to build a sustainable cinema ecosystem.”

Ultimately, EoS 2025 is more than just a film festival – it is a public platform that celebrates the power of cinema to share life experiences, foster cross-cultural understanding, and amplify stories that deserve to be seen and heard.

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