Jakarta, AswinNews.com – The most consistent foreign film festival in Indonesia, Europe on Screen (EoS), has officially turned 25 this year. In its silver celebration, EoS 2025 will be held on 13–22 June 2025 in seven major cities: Jakarta, Bandung, Denpasar, Medan, Surabaya, Sidoarjo, and Yogyakarta.
This 25th edition marks an important milestone, strengthening EoS’ position as the oldest foreign film festival in Indonesia. The celebration was announced at a press conference on Wednesday (28/5/2025) at the Candi Singosari Room, Grand Sahid Hotel, Jakarta.
“The 25th edition of EoS is a historic moment, not only for the European Union and its member states, but also for cultural relations between the European Union and Indonesia,” said Denis Chaibi, Ambassador of the European Union to Indonesia.
“We are proud to present films that celebrate the diversity of European narratives while strengthening cooperation between the film sectors of both regions.”
55 Films, 27 Countries, and a Spotlight on Inclusivity
This year, EoS presents a selection of 55 films from 27 European countries, across a range of genres that showcase a diversity of perspectives and storytelling styles. Over 50 percent of the films screened are directed by women, marking a real step in supporting the representation of women’s voices in the world of cinema.
“This year’s festival provides a dynamic space for female filmmakers and debutants,” said Meninaputri Wismurti, Co-Director of EoS 2025.
“Of the 55 films screened, around 30 are by female directors. This reflects the new face and diversity of the European film industry.”
Opening Film: The Touching Adventures of a Circus Boy
As the opening film, EoS 2025 presents “Circusboy – Zirkuskind” (Germany, 2025), an 85-minute documentary-drama by Julia Lemke and Anna Koch. The film tells the story of Santino, a boy who grows up in a traveling circus family.
The film has won the Special Mention Prize for Best Film – Generation Kplus at the Berlinale 2025, and was selected for the World Showcase Hot Docs 2025.
Closing Film: The Bitter Reality of a True Story
As the closing film, EoS chooses “The Boy with Pink Pants – Il Ragazzo dai Pantaloni Rosa” (Italy, 2024), a heartbreaking drama by Margherita Ferri. Based on the true story of Andrea Spezzacatena, a 15-year-old teenager who was bullied because of his identity, the film has become one of the most talked-about works in Italy.
The film was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2025 David di Donatello Awards and entered the official selection at the 2024 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
Special Program: Spotlight on Indonesian Filmmakers
EoS 2025 also presents a special program “From Locarno to Venice”, a retrospective of five short films by Indonesian filmmakers that have penetrated international festivals. Some of them have even won awards and had their premieres at Locarno and Venice, two prestigious film festivals in Europe.
This program emphasizes EoS’s commitment to encouraging cross-cultural dialogue and giving Indonesian cinema a stage in the eyes of the world.
Europe on Screen 2025 is not just a film festival, but a meeting space across cultures, across generations, and across borders, celebrating differences in the most universal way: through stories.
Writer: Zul/Dody
Editor: Kenzo
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