SFPP EoS 2025 winners pose for a photo with H. E. Denis Chaibi, Leila Fernandez-Stembridge, Stephane Mechati, Marlina Machfud, and the Co-Director of EoS 2025 (doc. EOS 2025)
Librarypost.com Jakarta / The premiere screening of three new Indonesian short films, winners of the Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP) Europe on Screen (EoS) 2024, was celebrated and held at GoetheHaus in Goethe-Institut Jakarta, on Sunday, 15 June 2025. The three films are Tutup Hari Kiamat (Apocalypse Mart) by Dzauqy F. Ilham (1st winner), The Sadness is Not Over Yet by Tanzilal Azizie (2nd winner), and Wali (The Guardian) by Rayhan Syafiq Renaldi and Septa Yudhistira (3rd winner).
Directors, producers, cast and crew members of all three films attended the event, as well as by H. E. Denis Chaibi, Ambassador of the European Union to Indonesia and Leila Fernandez-Stembridge, Head of Division for Southeast Asia & ASEAN European External Action Service (EEAS).
In her address at the event, Leila Fernandez-Stembridge reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting the development of young Indonesian filmmakers through the SFPP programme. “Tutup Hari Kiamat, The Sadness Is Not Over Yet, and Wali won last year’s EoS Short Film Pitching Project. I am incredibly excited to watch these films. Making films demands dedication, hard work, weaving storytelling, but also having fun. We are very happy that the EU can provide the financial support that helps producers and directors,” said Leila at Goethe-Institut Jakarta, on Sunday, 15/6/2025.
Mrs. Leila Fernandez-Stembridge, Head of Division for Southeast Asia & ASEAN European External Action Service (EEAS) (doc. EOS 2025)
Highlighting Diverse Ideas Based on Social Conditions The SFPP EoS 2024 programme received 197 submissions of story ideas from various regions across Indonesia. Ten best short film ideas were selected as finalists and presented their short film ideas to the judging panel at last year’s festival, where the jury members have chosen three best story ideas to receive partial production funding and support. The three SFPP 2024 winners received a total prize of IDR 128.500.000, which included partial production funds, audio post-production facilities, film production classes, and hampers from Kemala Home Living.
“These three winner story ideas showcased strong social observation, emotional depth, and a fresh cinematic approach. They represent the great potential of the young generation of Indonesian filmmakers that come from across the nation, not always from Jakarta,” said Meninaputri Wismurti, Co-Director of Europe on Screen 2025.
Nauval Yazid, Co-Director of EoS 2025, added: “The final results of these three films are truly commendable. Both visually and narratively, they successfully portray stories that are distinctly Indonesian, yet they are accessible and relevant to global audiences.”
Stories Behind the Production of the Three SFPP EoS 2024 Winning Films
Tutup Hari Kiamat (Apocalypse Mart), the story of this film was inspired by a popular phrase often seen in Madurese stalls: “Open: 24 Hours, Closed: Doomsday”. The narrative evolved into a reflection on teenagers, beliefs, and a distorted perception of the end of times. The film is set within the Madurese community and features Madurese actors, which are seldom represented on screen in Indonesian cinema.
“We conducted direct research with Madurese stall owners who use that phrase. From there, a humorous and philosophical perspective emerged, which we incorporated into the script. All main actors are from the Madurese film community, and that was a non-negotiable principle,” explained Dzauqy, the director.
During filming in East Java, extreme weather conditions with strong winds and scorching sun ironically enhanced the powerful visual impression. Dzauqy regarded it as ‘help from the universe’ to reinforce the apocalyptic nuance in the film.
Tutup Hari Kiamat: First winner (doc. EOS 2025)
The Sadness is Not Over Yet. This film tells the story of Sulastri, a single mother, who must continue her life after divorce. She faces societal pressure regarding her new status and is also considered a source of shame for her family because she has not remarried.
According to Tanzilal, the issue of a single mother’s life raised in this film is something commonly found in society, but rarely, if not more often deemed and considered unimportant to be discussed. “What Sulastri experiences as a single mother, and the pressures she receives, are likely also experienced by the majority of single mothers in Indonesia. Yet, no one dares to speak about it,” he stated.
For Tanzilal, participating in SFPP EoS 2024 was an opportunity seized. He encourages aspiring filmmakers to continuously leverage existing opportunities, no matter how small. If it ultimately doesn’t succeed, it doesn’t matter, because at least they have tried.
The Sadness is Not Over Yet: 2nd winner (doc. EOS 2025)
Wali (The Guardian), this film was born from a spirit of collaboration and inclusivity. Wali explores the relationship between a child and a parent figure in a context rarely discussed explicitly: transwomen and local spiritual beliefs.
“The story developed from the personal experiences of the crew, including my own anxieties as a father, as well as the complex relationship between children and parents,” said Rayhan.
The film was inspired by the screenwriter’s personal life who was close to the ‘Pakde’ (uncle) figure in the story, and collaborated with a transwoman artist as an actor and script developer. Behind the scenes, the film provided a safe space for crew members who have a particular interest in gender issues and inclusivity, including within the camera and editing teams.
“We want Wali to be a collective learning space. More than just a short film, it is an effort to create a fairer and more representative working ecosystem,” revealed Septa.
Wali (The Guardian): 3rd winner (doc. EOS 2025)
Following their premiere, the three SFPP EoS 2024 winning films will also be screened, followed by a Q&A session with the directors and producers, at: Kineforum (Sjuman Jaya), Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, on Monday, 16 June 2025 at 4:30 PM. SAE Indonesia, Jakarta, on Thursday, 19 June 2025 at 4:00 PM. (EDITOR BY OKL.)