Europe on Screen 2026 Wraps Up with Strong Audience Support and New Filmmaking Talent in the Spotlight

Europe on Screen 2026 Wraps Up with Strong Audience Support and New Filmmaking Talent in the Spotlight

The festival’s closing day featured the announcement of the SFPP 2026 winners and a special screening of Romania’s Atlas of the Universe.

Jakarta, 15 June 2026 – Europe on Screen (EoS) 2026 officially closed on Sunday, 14 June 2026 at Cinepolis Senayan Park, Jakarta. For eleven days, the festival was warmly received by audiences and film enthusiasts across eight cities: Jakarta, Bandung, Medan, Denpasar, Surabaya, Semarang, Sidoarjo, and Yogyakarta.

Now in its 26th edition, Europe on Screen has become Indonesia’s longest-running international film festivals, offering free public access to contemporary European cinema while fostering cultural exchange between Indonesia and Europe. This year’s edition showcased 55 films from 28 European countries, inviting audiences to explore a rich variety of perspectives, cultures, and stories that reflect contemporary European society, as well as universal themes of humanity and diversity.

“Europe on Screen demonstrates the power of film to bridge cultures, broaden perspectives and inspire meaningful dialogue. Through stories from across Europe, we have seen Indonesian audiences embrace with curiosity, openness and enthusiasm. Beyond showcasing outstanding cinema, the festival highlights the richness of diversity, the power of creativity and the strong partnership between the European Union and Indonesia,” said H. E. Denis Chaibi, Ambassador of the European Union to Indonesia.

Selected as the closing film of EoS 2026, Atlas of the Universe (Atlasul Universului) is a Romanian coming-of-age drama that follows a young child’s journey of understanding the world around him. Warm, poetic, and filled with curiosity, the film offers a thoughtful reflection on growing up, family, and life’s meaning. Directed by Paul Negoescu, the film had its world premiere at Berlinale 2026 in the Generation Kplus section, becoming the first Romanian production to be selected for the programme. It also received an Honourable Mention from the International Jury for Best Film in the Generation Kplus section, in which one of the jury members was a young Indonesian filmmaker, Khozy Rizal.

“It is a great honour for us to see Atlas of the Universe selected as the closing film of Europe on Screen 2026. The film reminds us to appreciate the way children see the world – with curiosity, honesty and imagination, qualities that we often lose sight of as we grow older. I hope it encourages audiences to look at the world once again with greater openness and empathy,” said H. E. Dan Adrian Bălănescu, Ambassador of Romania to Indonesia.

In addition to the closing film screening, the Closing Ceremony also featured the announcement of the winners of the Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP) 2026, a programme dedicated to supporting the development of short film ideas and nurturing the next generation of Indonesian filmmakers. This year’s jury panel consisted of Marlina Machfud (Film Cultural Advisor at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia), Asmara Abigail (actress and producer) and Ifan Ismail (screenwriter).

Meninaputri Wismurti, Co-Festival Director of EoS 2026, said, “The selected projects demonstrate a willingness to explore issues that resonate with everyday life while presenting fresh and personal cinematic approaches. Through SFPP, we aim to provide emerging filmmakers with opportunities to develop their film ideas, expand professional networks, and bring relevant new stories to wider audiences.”

Meanwhile, Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, Vice Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, stated that the Ministry of Culture would continue to support programmes such as the SFPP EoS so that Indonesian cinema could reach international audiences. “Our main focus is on investing in young talents because the future of Indonesian cinema lies in their hands. We are therefore proud to support the Europe on Screen’s Short Film Pitching Project. The Ministry of Culture will continue to support programmes such as this so that our local stories can flourish and reach international audiences,” he said.

The winners of SFPP EoS 2026 and their awards are as follows:

1. First Winner

Lunchtime Monsters by Gerry Fairus and Dhita Intani, Jakarta

Total prize value: IDR 39,675,000, including:

• Partial production funding of IDR 17,000,000 from Europe on Screen.

• Partial production funding of IDR 6,175,000 from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.

• Partial production funding of IDR 5,000,000 from SAE Indonesia.

• Audio post-production facility worth IDR 10,000,000 from SAE Indonesia.

• Two treatment vouchers worth Rp 1,400,000 from Annathaya Spa & Wellness.

According to the jury, the project stood out for its inventive use of horror and fantasy to explore social issues in a creative and engaging way.

2. Second Winner

Catatan Si Kumal by Aryudha Fasha and Alen Prima Aulya, Sidoarjo

Total prize value: IDR 34,575,000, including:

• Partial production funding of IDR 11,000,000 from Europe on Screen.

• Partial production funding of IDR 6,175,000 from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.

• Partial production funding of IDR 5,000,000 from SAE Indonesia.

• Two screenwriting sessions from the Scriptwriting Course worth IDR 11,000,000 from SAE Indonesia.

• Two treatment vouchers worth IDR 1,400,000 from Annathaya Spa & Wellness.

The jury praised the project’s approach to storytelling within the limits of short film format, while noting that further development would strengthen its potential.

3. Third Winner

Karina in Male Dominated Field by Mahaputri Adinda, Jazon Ezra Maail, and Ammara Shifa Uzma, Tangerang

Total prize value: IDR 27,075,000, consisting of:

• Partial production funding ofIDR 9,000,000 from Europe on Screen.

• Partial production funding of IDR 6,175,000 from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.

• Partial production funding of IDR 5,000,000 from SAE Indonesia.

• One screenwriting session from the Scriptwriting Course worth IDR 5,500,000 from SAE Indonesia.

• Two treatment vouchers worth IDR 1,400,000 Annathaya from Spa & Wellness.

The jury praised the project for its compelling exploration of gender equality and the male gaze through the fresh and imaginative perspective of a child.

EoS 2026 once again highlighted its commitment to supporting emerging Indonesian filmmakers through the SFPP programme. This year, SFPP received 202 submissions from across Indonesia. Following a rigorous selection process, ten finalists were invited to present their projects before the jury, competing for the top three awards.

“Over the past nine years, SFPP has grown into one of the key programmes in Europe on Screen. Films developed through the programme have gone on to screen and receive recognition at festivals both in Indonesia and internationally. We hope SFPP will continue to serve as a stepping stone for a new generation of Indonesian filmmakers to introduce their work to wider audiences,” said Nauval Yazid, Co-Festival Director of EoS 2026.

As EoS 2026 comes to an end, the festival leaves behind not only memorable cinematic experiences but also new opportunities for dialogue, collaboration and creative growth. Looking ahead to its next edition, EoS looks forward to welcoming audiences once again with more stories that inspire, challenge and connect people across cultures.