EU highlights unity and cultural diversity at Europe on Screen festival
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Charge d’Affaires of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Indonesia, Stephane Mechati, highlighted the unity and cultural diversity of EU member states that the bloc wishes to showcase to the Indonesian public ahead of the Europe on Screen (EoS) 2026 film festival.
“We are united in diversity. This is not just a motto. It is a philosophy. We want to bring a culture of tolerance, mutual understanding. Understanding each other better means building a shared future,” he said during a press conference at the French Cultural Centre IFI (Institut Français d’Indonésie) in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He stressed the importance of unity in addressing global challenges that must be tackled collectively with the international community.
Through the festival, Mechati, alongside other EU country representatives, aims to showcase cultural diversity among member states and establish partnership frameworks in economic, political, security, trade, and other areas to build a shared future.
“And ultimately, we are human. So first, we need to understand each other. Discussing our values and principles. And this film festival contributes significantly to that,” he said.
He highlighted how feelings, emotions, and sentiments are often expressed differently across communities in Indonesia, and similarly in Europe.
“Although we share similar concerns and perceptions about reality, we each have our own distinctiveness. And what is fascinating is seeing the variations and cultural diversity in how we express these emotions,” Mechati said.
He added that the films featured during the festival are not merely platforms for expressing emotions but also serve as a means to amplify voices of those who may not have opportunities to share their perspectives.
“There are social themes and concerns raised regarding international relations. Thus, it becomes a platform for voicing opinions from those who don’t always have the chance to share their views,” he said.
“Through EoS 2026, we aim to present inclusive films in terms of themes, perspectives, and filmmakers,” said Festival Co-Director Nauval Yazid.
Nauval expressed delight that this year’s festival will feature works by female directors and debutante filmmakers, bringing fresh voices to European cinema.
“We hope Indonesian audiences will find stories that resonate personally while broadening their perspectives on life and culture in Europe,” he added.
Europe on Screen will run for 11 days from 4-14 June 2026, showcasing 55 films from 28 European countries, screened free of charge at French, German, Italian, and other European cultural centres in Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Denpasar, Yogyakarta, Medan, Sidoarjo, and Semarang.
Entering its 26th edition, Europe on Screen is Indonesia’s longest-running European film festival and a cultural meeting point between Europe and Indonesia through cinema.
This year’s programme features diverse themes, perspectives, and cinematic styles, including works by 31 female directors and nine debutante filmmakers, reflecting the festival’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the film industry.