Mr. Stéphane Mechati, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the European Union Delegation to Indonesia, delivering the opening address at the 2026 Europe on Screen Film Festival in Jakarta (doc. By EoS 2026).
Librarypost.com Jakarta | Against the backdrop of an increasingly fractured global landscape, cinema’s power to bridge deep cultural divides took center stage on Thursday evening.
The 2026 edition of Europe on Screen (EoS), Indonesia’s longest-running international film festival, officially commenced its 11-day cultural residency with an opening gala at CGV Grand Indonesia, Jakarta.
Now in its 26th year, the festival running from June 4 to 14 across eight major Indonesian cities stands as a rare, entirely subsidized cultural bridge, offering the public free access to 55 curated contemporary films from 28 European nations. At its core, the cinematic showcase aims to look past geographic distance, using intimate storytelling to reflect universal human experiences.
The festival’s opening night set an intentionally warm, introspective tone with the screening of The Baronesses (Les Baronnes), a 2025 Belgian comedy-drama directed by the mother and son filmmaking duo Mokhtaria Badaoui and Nabil Ben Yadir. The film, which follows a group of elderly women in Brussels reclaiming their long-forgotten ambitions through theater, arrived in Jakarta decorated with international critical acclaim, including the Best Film prize in the “Rebels with a Cause” category at the 2025 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
“Many audiences come to EoS not only to enjoy European films, but also to discover stories that resonate with their own lives,” noted Mr. Stéphane Mechati. “Through cinema, we hope audiences can experience how storytelling fosters deep empathy, sharpens our understanding of others, and brings communities together.”
Speaking on the opening selection, H.E. Frank Felix, the Ambassador of Belgium to Indonesia, emphasized the film’s cross-generational appeal. “It presents a profoundly human and relatable story about the courage to continue dreaming regardless of age,” Ambassador Felix stated.
H.E. Frank Felix, Ambassador of Belgium to Indonesia, addressing the audience regarding the cross-cultural relevance of contemporary European stories (doc. By Eos 2026)
While EoS remains a window into European artistry, it has increasingly evolved into a critical launchpad for local Indonesian talent through its Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP). This year’s festival hosts the highly anticipated premieres of three short films financed in part by EoS, the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, and the SAE Institute. The winning projects, Echoes of The Unseen (Sang Penjaga), Pool Party, and In the Name of Me, span diverse geographic and thematic narratives from Yogyakarta, Sumedang, and Jakarta.
Endah T.D. Retnoastuti, Director General for Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, highlighted the long-term geopolitical value of the project. “The SFPP provides an essential platform for emerging Indonesian filmmakers to develop ideas and build professional networks for greater participation in the international film community,” she stated, adding that the National Gallery of Indonesia has been designated as an official screening venue to further solidify the cultural exchange.
Europe on Screen 2026 Festival Co-Directors Nauval Yazid and Meninaputri Wismurti, who spearhead the curation and cross-cultural initiatives bridging the European and Indonesian film industries (doc. EoS 2026)
“Young Indonesian filmmakers continue to grow and tell stories that are increasingly bold and personal,” Nauval Yazid observed, emphasizing that EoS actively shapes and strengthens the local creative ecosystem. Echoing this vision of global exchange, Meninaputri Wismurti added that bringing international creators directly to local audiences opens vital, rare discussions about the modern creative process.
To encourage this direct dialogue, the festival brought internationally acclaimed European industry professionals to Indonesia for public Q&A sessions. Among the featured guests are Damian McCann, the award-winning Belfast-based director presenting his latest Irish feature Aontas (Union), and Zar Donato, the acclaimed Filipina actress starring in the Cypriot production Maricel.
All screenings across the eight participating cities, including Bandung, Surabaya, Denpasar, Yogyakarta, Medan, Sidoarjo, and Semarang, remain completely free to the public, with tickets distributed at venues one hour before showtime. (Editor team OKL).
The opening ceremony of Europe on Screen 2026 at CGV Grand Indonesia in Jakarta, marking the return of Indonesia’s most enduring window into European contemporary cinema. (doc. By EoS 2026)