European Union Film Festival celebrates year of skills

The Delegation of the European Union to Namibia, in partnership with its Member States and the local film industry, officially launched the 2024 European Union Film Festival today (10 September 2024) at the Franco Namibia Cultural Centre in Windhoek. Themed the “Year of Skills,” the festival will run every Wednesday night from 18 September to 13 November 2024 at Ster Kinekor Cinema, Maerua Mall, with free admission to all screenings.

This year’s festival will showcase eight celebrated European films, culminating in a special screening of the Namibian film *Lukas*. Reflecting its focus on skills development, the festival is supporting capacity-building initiatives, including Kino Namibia, a platform aimed at empowering young Namibian filmmakers, with backing from the Namibia Film Commission.

The festival will kick off on 18 September 2024 with the Hungarian film *Semmelweis*, which tells the story of a pioneering doctor in maternal health. Hungary holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2024.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Ian Dupont, EU Deputy Head of Mission to Namibia, emphasized the significance of the festival: “We are proud to host the annual EU Film Festival in Namibia once again, an important milestone in our TeamEurope cultural cooperation with Namibia. This festival not only fosters interest and awareness around European and Namibian films but also strengthens collaboration between the EU, Namibian audiences, and our local partners. The festival is a way to celebrate not only the art of filmmaking but also to build bridges and understanding between different cultures.”

The European Film Festival offers a unique platform for audiences to experience diverse cultures, life stories, and cinematic traditions. The EU and its partners aim to inspire innovation and cultural enrichment through the festival.

The event is organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Namibia in collaboration with EU Member States such as Germany, Finland, France, Portugal, and Spain, with additional support from Italy’s Club Italiano and Non-Resident EU Member States like Hungary and Poland. The festival is also backed by the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology, the Namibia Film Commission, the Ombetje Yehinga Organisation (OYO), and Jam Events.