The Europe on Screen (EoS) 2024 film festival, which officially began on June 7, continues to captivate audiences across Indonesia. This year's festival, launched at GoetheHaus in Jakarta, features a diverse array of 75 films from 28 European countries, running until June 16. The opening ceremony was graced by prominent figures, including H.E. Denis Chaibi, European Union Ambassador to Indonesia; H.E. Fabien Penone, French Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor Leste, and ASEAN; Dr. Ingo Schöningh, Head of Cultural Programs for Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand; Marlina Machfud, Cultural Film Officer at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology; as well as Meninaputri Wismurti and Nauval Yazid, Co-Directors of EoS 2024.

EoS 2024 is being held across eight cities in Indonesia: Jakarta, Bandung, Denpasar, Malang, Medan, Sidoarjo, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta. Film enthusiasts can enjoy these screenings for free, experiencing the latest European cinematic offerings.

"The 24th edition of Europe on Screen demonstrates the high enthusiasm of Indonesian audiences for European films. We are very proud of the quality and variety of films showcased at this year's festival: from award-winning feature films to captivating short animations, as well as thought-provoking documentaries by young filmmaking talents and established European filmmakers," stated H.E. Denis Chaibi, European Union Ambassador to Indonesia.

Ambassador Chaibi added, "There is a growing interest among the younger generation in Indonesia in filmmaking. Therefore, with the Europe on Screen Film Festival, we are also taking a step further by encouraging dialogue. We want European and Indonesian filmmakers to inspire each other; and with Europe on Screen, we can facilitate opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and diversity."

The festival opened with the French animated film *Chicken for Linda!* by Sébastien Laudenbach and Chiara Malta, a story about a mother's effort to fulfill her child's wish for her late father's favorite dish. This comedy animation has won the Best Feature award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2023 and the Best Animated Film at the César Awards 2023.

"We are very pleased that *Chicken for Linda!* was chosen as the opening film of EoS 2024. This outstanding French animated film from 2023 perfectly demonstrates how European films with unique and funny stories can be enjoyed by Indonesian audiences of all ages," said H.E. Fabien Penone, French Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor Leste, and ASEAN.

In addition to screening the latest European films, EoS 2024 features guest appearances from festival participants like Éamon Little, the screenwriter of the Irish film *That They May Face the Rising Sun*. Little will conduct a workshop on scriptwriting and hold a Q&A session after the screening of his film. Several European directors will also participate online through the EoS 2024 Film Talk: IGLive to discuss their films showcased at the festival.

Meninaputri Wismurti, Co-Director of EoS 2024, emphasized, "One of the enjoyable parts of attending a film festival is being able to meet the filmmakers whose films are being shown. We always strive to bring the people behind the films screened at EoS so that the audience can interact directly or online with them. Who knows, we might exchange information or gain insights about the international film industry."

The festival's Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP), now in its seventh year, continues to receive strong support from the public and film enthusiasts.

Marlina Machfud, Cultural Film Officer at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, and one of the judges of SFPP EoS 2024, stated, "I am proud to support EoS 2024, which has provided a platform for young Indonesian filmmakers through the Short Film Pitching Project, important for the continuous regeneration of human resources in the ever-evolving Indonesian film industry. Moreover, as a big fan of European films, the presence of EoS is very important in Indonesia as the only film festival that screens unique and rare films from countries we have never seen in our cinemas before."

EoS 2024 will also showcase three short films by the winners of the SFPP 2023 competition. The premiere of these winning films will be held at GoetheHaus, Jakarta, on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 2:00 PM WIB, free of charge. The films are:

• Tinah Buys Cigarette by director Gugun Arief from Banyuwangi
• Firman Firman by director Kurnia Alexander from Jakarta
• How to be a Man by director William K from Tangerang

"Many film lovers are looking forward to the screening of the three short films that won the SFPP EoS 2023. I believe the journey of these SFPP EoS 2023 winning films is just beginning and will not stop here, while following in the footsteps of previous SFPP EoS winners that continue to be screened in various short film competitions, both in Indonesia and other countries," said Nauval Yazid, Co-Director of EoS 2024.

All information about EoS 2024, including film screening schedules and all programs during the festival, can be found at www.europeonscreen.org and on Europe on Screen's official accounts on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook.