Three Winning Films from Europe on Screen's Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP) 2025 Premiere in Jakarta

Three Winning Films from Europe on Screen's Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP) 2025 Premiere in Jakarta

Showcasing works by emerging filmmakers from Yogyakarta, Sumedang and Jakarta developed through Europe on Screen's talent development programme

Jakarta, 6 June 2026 – Europe on Screen (EoS) 2026 held the premiere screening of the three winning films from the 2025 Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP) at Erasmus Huis, Jakarta, on Saturday, 6 June 2026. The films 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.

SFPP is one of Europe on Screen's key initiatives aimed at nurturing the next generation of Indonesian filmmakers. Through the programme, shortlisted participants pitch their film concepts to a panel of industry professionals, with the three strongest projects receiving partial production funding, mentorship, and development support through to completion.

As one of the key supporters of SFPP, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia views the programme as an important platform for nurturing emerging talents while strengthening the role of film as a vehicle for cultural advancement and cultural diplomacy.

“We support SFPP at Europe on Screen because it consistently encourages young people to create, express creativity and inspirations through film. The programme provides an opportunity to celebrate Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity while contributing to the growth of the national film ecosystem. We hope these works will continue to showcase Indonesian stories and perspectives to international audiences through film festivals around the world,” said Endah T.D. Retnoastuti, Director General for Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion and Cooperation at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.

Europe on Screen launched SFPP in 2018 as a production funding initiative designed to strengthen connections between the Indonesian and European film industries.

“Over the past eight years, Europe on Screen's SFPP has demonstrated how collaboration between the EU, the Ministry of Culture of Indonesia and 28 European countries can create meaningful opportunities. Through Europe on Screen, we are committed to building lasting partnerships by connecting young filmmakers with directors and producers from Europe, encouraging collaboration and cultural exchange,” said Stéphane Mechati, Chargé d'Affaires of the Delegation of the European Union to Indonesia.

In the EoS 2025 SFPP competition, Echoes of The Unseen (Sang Penjaga), Pool Party, and In the Name of Me received production grant and prizes worth IDR 134 million, supported by Europe on Screen, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, SAE Institute, Hotel Grand Sahid Jaya and Kemala Home Living.

Meninaputri Wismurti, Co-Festival Director of Europe on Screen 2026, emphasised that SFPP offers more than financial support, providing participants with opportunities to learn from and exchange ideas with film professionals from Indonesia and Europe. “SFPP is designed as both a learning platform and a stepping stone for emerging filmmakers. Through the programme, participants receive not only support to produce their films but also opportunities to engage directly with professionals from both Indonesia and European film industries. We hope these experiences will strengthen their capacity to continue creating and developing their careers in filmmaking,” she said.

Meet Three Winning Films of SFPP Europe on Screen 2025

Nauval Yazid, Co-Festival Director of Europe on Screen 2026, said the completed films demonstrate the remarkable development achieved by last year's winners. “One of the most rewarding aspects of SFPP is seeing an idea evolve from a proposal into a finished film. Each of this year's winning films has its own distinctive voice, yet all demonstrate the courage and creativity of their filmmakers. We are proud to have been part of their journey and look forward to introducing these works to Europe on Screen audiences this year,” he said.

Echoes of The Unseen (Sang Penjaga) follows Ardo and Ladya as they search for a missing necklace amid the bustle of a night market. During their brief journey together, they find a safe space before reality eventually pulls them apart. Running for 11 minutes, the film offers a poetic reflection on connection, loss, and hope amidst the noise of everyday life.

According to director Sesarini, the night market serves not merely as a backdrop but as an essential element shaping the atmosphere of the film. “I've always found night markets fascinating. Amid the crowds, countless small stories unfold, often unnoticed. One of the biggest challenges during production was finding the right location, as we wanted the market to feel truly alive. We visited several sites before finally discovering the perfect setting,” she explained.

Pool Party tells the story of Adek, a child hoping to play in an inflatable swimming pool on a hot day when digital activities suddenly come to a halt. His simple wish is complicated by an unexpected water outage at home. Through a child's perspective, the 14-minute film explores everyday social issues with warmth and humour.

Aisyah Aulia said the journey of Pool Party had been filled with valuable experiences, from its earliest concept through to completion. “The most memorable part of Pool Party has been the entire process itself, from being selected among the SFPP 2025 finalists, developing the story through discussions and feedback, to finally completing the film alongside an incredible cast and crew. Most importantly, we met so many inspiring people along the way and are thrilled to see the film reach audiences,” she said.

Meanwhile, In the Name of Me follows Kristy, a student at a strict Catholic girls' boarding school, as she struggles with recurring nightmares and her unspoken feelings for her best friend, Merry. The 20-minute film explores themes of identity, inner conflict, and the courage to embrace oneself.

For director Teresa Katarina, the film emerged from a desire to address experiences that are often difficult to discuss openly. “We wanted to tell stories about emotions that people often keep hidden because they fear rejection or misunderstanding. During the development process, we spoke with many individuals who had gone through similar experiences. We hope audiences will find parts of themselves reflected in this film,” she said.

Following their premiere screening at Erasmus Huis, the three winning SFPP 2025 films will also be screened in on 7 June 2026 at 19.00 WIB at Galeri Nasional, Jakarta, 8 June 2026 at 19.00 WIB at IFI, Bandung, and 10 June 2026 at 17.00 WIB at SAE Institute, Jakarta. as part of the Europe on Screen 2026 programme, accompanied by discussion sessions with the filmmakers.

Further information on screening schedules, venues, film synopses and festival activities can be found at www.europeonscreen.org and follow @europeonscreen on Instagram, X, Facebook and YouTube.