Poland in Indonesia

The 25th edition of the Europe on Screen festival, held from 13–22 June across seven cities in Indonesia, was a major cultural event and the flagship project of the EU Delegation in Indonesia. Celebrating European cultural diversity and promoting intercultural dialogue, the festival attracted large audiences and was widely regarded as a great success, both in terms of attendance and organization.

Thanks to the support of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy of the Polish MFA, Polish cinema was proudly represented by two outstanding films: “Night Silence” by Bartosz M. Kowalski and “Under the Volcano” by Damian Kocur.

🎬 “Night Silence”
A psychological drama starring Maciej Damięcki, the film follows an aging theatre actor who enters a care facility, where the boundary between reality and dream begins to blur. Haunted by visions from his past, he faces themes of memory, dignity, and the loneliness of old age.

🎬 “Under the Volcano”
A moving story about a Ukrainian family vacationing in Tenerife who, upon learning that a full-scale war has broken out in their homeland, are suddenly transformed from tourists into refugees. The film offers a powerful perspective on personal loss, displacement, and the impact of global conflict on ordinary lives.

Both films were met with very positive reception from Indonesian audiences and sparked meaningful post-screening discussions.

The opening ceremony of the festival took place on 12 June in Jakarta, with Ambassador Barbara Szymanowska representing Poland alongside other EU member state representatives.

A special highlight of the festival was the Short Film Pitching Project (SFPP), an initiative supporting emerging Indonesian filmmakers. This year’s edition received a record-breaking 367 submissions, many from outside Jakarta and even abroad, reflecting the growing international appeal of the program.