Europe on Screen 2026 Officially Opens, Celebrating the Power of Human Stories in European Cinema
Europe on Screen 2026 Officially Opens, Celebrating the Power of Human Stories in European Cinema
The festival opens with The Baronesses and features 55 European films that offer heartfelt portrayals of human experiences across cultures, generations and communities.
Jakarta, 4 June 2026 - Europe on Screen (EoS) 2026, the European Union (EU) Film Festival in Indonesia, officially opened this evening with a Ceremony and Film Screening at CGV Grand Indonesia, Jakarta. Now in its 26th edition, EoS remains the longest-running European film festival in Indonesia, continuing its commitment to providing free access to a curated selection of European cinema for audiences across the country.
Running from 4-14 June 2026, EoS 2026 takes place in 8 (eight) cities: Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Denpasar, Yogyakarta, Medan, Sidoarjo and Semarang. This year’s programme presents 55 films from 28 European countries, offering audiences a rich variety of genres, themes and perspectives that reflect the diversity of contemporary European cinema.
Over the past two decades, EoS has grown into one of Indonesia’s most beloved international film festivals. Beyond showcasing European films, EoS has become a vibrant meeting point for communities, film enthusiasts, students, and audiences seeking fresh perspectives and meaningful stories through cinema.
“Many audiences come to EoS not only to enjoy European films, but also to discover stories that resonate with their own lives. Through the films presented at EoS, including this year’s opening film The Baronesses, we hope audiences can experience how cinema fosters empathy, deepens our understanding of others, and brings people together through shared human experiences,” said Mr Stéphane Mechati, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the EU Delegation to Indonesia.
The Baronesses Opens EoS 2026 with Warmth, Humour and Hope
This year’s festival opens with The Baronesses (Les Baronnes), a 2025 Belgian comedy-drama directed by mother-and-son filmmaking duo Mokhtaria Badaoui and Nabil Ben Yadir. The film follows a group of elderly women in Brussels who decide to pursue long-forgotten dreams by staging a theatre performance. The Baronesses gained international recognition after screening at the Namur International Francophone Film Festival and winning the Best Film prize in Rebels with a Cause category at the 2025 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia.
“We are proud that The Baronesses has been selected as the opening film of Europe on Screen 2026. The film presents a warm, human and relatable story about the courage to continue dreaming and rediscover oneself regardless of age. We hope audiences will laugh together, leave the cinema with a sense of hope, and create unforgettable memories throughout their EoS 2026 festival experience,” said H.E. Frank Felix, Ambassador of Belgium to Indonesia.
Celebrating Emerging Indonesian Filmmakers through Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP)
In addition to showcasing the latest European films, EoS 2026 will present the winning short films from the EoS 2025 Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP). The SFPP premiere screenings have become one of the festival’s most anticipated programmes, offering audiences an opportunity to discover new voices in Indonesian filmmaking while celebrating the growth of emerging talent.
“We are encouraged to support Short Film Pitching Project that provide essential platform for emerging Indonesian filmmakers to develop ideas, build professional network for greater participation in the international film community. Also, to provide National Gallery of Indonesia as screening venue of EoS 2026 to strengthen cultural exchange between Indonesia and Europe through the language of film,” said Endah T.D. Retnoastuti, Director General for Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, in her remarks.
This year’s SFPP winners are Echoes of The Unseen (Sang Penjaga) by Sesarini and Lyza Anggraheni from Yogyakarta, Pool Party by Aisyah Aulia and Adrian Fauzi from Sumedang, and In the Name of Me by Teresa Katarina and Jonathan Gradiyan from Jakarta. These short films were produced thanks to the partial financing of EoS, the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and SAE Institute.
“The premieres of SFPP winning films are always a special moment in Europe on Screen. Here we can witness how young Indonesian filmmakers continue to grow and tell stories that are increasingly bold and personal. These films also show that EoS is not only about screening films, but also about contributing to the growth of Indonesia’s film ecosystem,” said Nauval Yazid, EoS 2026 Festival Co-Director.
Welcoming Festival Guests from the European Film Industry
Continuing its tradition of connecting audiences with international filmmakers, EoS 2026 welcomes guests from the European film industry, including Damian McCann, director of the Irish film Aontas (2025), and Zar Donato, the Filipina actress who stars in the Cypriot production Maricel (2025). Both guests will participate in discussions and Q&A sessions with audiences throughout the festival.
Damian McCann is an award-winning Belfast-based film director who has spent nearly two decades directing Irish-language documentaries. His feature drama Doineann (Hurricane) won the Royal Television Society Award for Best Drama in 2021, while his latest feature Aontas (Union) premiered at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh.
Meanwhile, Zar Donato is recognised for her work in independent films and television series exploring themes of identity, youth and social issues. She first gained wider recognition through Billie & Emma (2018), while Maricel (2025) marks her latest work as a lead actress.
“Every year, we want EoS audiences to have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas directly with international film industry figures, particularly from Europe. The presence of Damian McCann and Zar Donato, who come from different backgrounds and experiences, offers a rare opportunity to open discussions about creative processes and the themes explored in their films,” said Meninaputri Wismurti, EoS 2026 Festival Co-Director.
All screenings at EoS 2026 are free and open to the public. Tickets can be collected directly at each venue starting one hour before each screening.
Further information about EoS 2026, including screening schedules, workshops and film discussions, visit the festival’s official website www.europeonscreen.org and follow @europeonscreen on Instagram, X, Facebook and YouTube.