Europe on Screen 2025 Officially Opens: Celebrating 25 Years of Inclusivity and Diversity in Cinema

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JAKARTA — The European Union’s annual film festival in Indonesia, Europe on Screen (EoS) 2025, officially opened with a festive ceremony at CGV Grand Indonesia, Jakarta, on 12 June 2025. This year marks the 25th edition of the festival, making it the longest-running foreign film festival in Indonesia.

The opening ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests, including Vice Minister of Culture of Indonesia Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, EU Ambassador to Indonesia Denis Chaibi, German Ambassador Ina Lepel, and EoS Co-Directors Meninaputri Wismurti and Nauval Yazid.

A Milestone Year: Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity

Held from 13 to 22 June 2025, EoS will take place in seven major cities: Jakarta, Bandung, Denpasar, Medan, Surabaya, Sidoarjo, and Yogyakarta. This year’s program features 55 films from 27 European countries, showcasing a wide array of genres and thought-provoking themes.

Remarkably, more than 50% of the films are directed by women, with many marking their directorial debut.

“The 25th edition of Europe on Screen is a testament to the growing interest of the Indonesian public in European cinema. We’re proud that this festival now speaks louder about inclusivity,” said Denis Chaibi, EU Ambassador to Indonesia.

Support from the Indonesian Government

Vice Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha Djumaryo welcomed the festival’s 25th anniversary, highlighting its importance as a cultural bridge and creative learning platform.

“Europe on Screen is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and the power of storytelling. We hope it inspires Indonesian filmmakers and opens up new possibilities for intercultural collaboration,” he stated.

Giring also emphasized the importance of the Short Film Pitching Project, EoS’s signature platform that gives emerging Indonesian filmmakers the opportunity to present and develop their short film projects.

Opening Film: Circusboy from Germany

The festival opened with a screening of Circusboy (Zirkuskind), a German hybrid documentary directed by Julia Lemke and Anna Koch. The 85-minute film was officially selected at Hot Docs 2025 (World Case) and received the Special Mention Prize for Best Film, Generation Kplus at Berlinale 2025.

“It’s an honor to open EoS 2025 with Circusboy. This collaboration between two talented female directors brings a powerful and touching story to life,” said Ina Lepel, German Ambassador to Indonesia.

International Filmmakers Engage Indonesian Audiences

A highlight of this year’s festival is the presence of Irish director Brian Durnin, known for his 2024 film Spilt Milk. He is scheduled to attend screenings and Q&A sessions in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta on 13–14 June, and to lead a film workshop titled “How to Make a Good Children’s Film” at GoetheHaus Jakarta on 13 June at 3:00 PM (WIB).

“Meeting filmmakers—whether in person or online—remains one of the most valuable aspects of this festival,” said an EoS organizer.

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Europe on Screen 2025 reaffirms its role as a platform for cinematic appreciation and intercultural dialogue, continuing to inspire and connect film communities across Indonesia.

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