Europe on Screen (EoS) 2026 held the premiere screening of three winning films from the 2025 Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP) at Erasmus Huis, Jakarta, on 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. The screening marks the culmination of a talent development programme that provides partial production funding, mentorship, and support to emerging Indonesian filmmakers.
SFPP, launched by Europe on Screen in 2018, is designed to strengthen connections between Indonesian and European film industries. The programme selects three winning projects each year from shortlisted participants who pitch their concepts to a panel of industry professionals. The 2025 winners received production grants and prizes worth IDR 134 million, supported by Europe on Screen, Indonesia's Ministry of Culture, SAE Institute, Hotel Grand Sahid Jaya and Kemala Home Living.
Stakeholder perspectives
Endah T.D. Retnoastuti, Director General for Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion and Cooperation at Indonesia's Ministry of Culture, said the programme encourages young people to create and express creativity through film, celebrating Indonesia's cultural diversity while contributing to the national film ecosystem. She expressed hope the works will showcase Indonesian stories to international audiences through film festivals.
Stéphane Mechati, Chargé d'Affaires of the EU Delegation to Indonesia, said SFPP has demonstrated how collaboration between the EU, the Ministry of Culture and 28 European countries can create meaningful opportunities, connecting young filmmakers with European directors and producers.
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. Nauval Yazid, Co-Festival Director, said the completed films demonstrate remarkable development, each with its own distinctive voice.
The films and their themes
Echoes of The Unseen (Sang Penjaga), running 11 minutes, follows two characters searching for a missing necklace in a night market, offering a poetic reflection on connection, loss, and hope. Director Sesarini noted the challenge of finding a location that made the market feel truly alive.
Pool Party, a 14-minute film, tells the story of a child hoping to play in an inflatable pool when a water outage complicates his wish, exploring everyday social issues with warmth and humour. Director Aisyah Aulia said the journey from concept to completion was filled with valuable experiences and inspiring people.
In the Name of Me, a 20-minute film, follows a student at a strict Catholic girls' boarding school struggling with nightmares and unspoken feelings for her best friend, exploring identity and inner conflict. Director Teresa Katarina said the film emerged from a desire to address emotions people often keep hidden.
Further screenings
Following the premiere, the three films will be screened on 7 June 2026 at Galeri Nasional, Jakarta; 8 June 2026 at IFI, Bandung; and 10 June 2026 at SAE Institute, Jakarta, as part of the Europe on Screen 2026 programme, accompanied by discussion sessions with the filmmakers.
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