Residents of Suva will have a unique opportunity this weekend (3-5 June) to experience European art, film, and culture following the launch of the inaugural European Film Festival on 31 May.
An annual global flagship program for European public diplomacy, the European Film Festival in countries on all continents around the world each year.
This year, the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific brings the European Film Festival to the Pacific for the very first time.
European Film Festival, EuroFest Pacific, is an exciting new celebration of diversity — both in Europe and in the Pacific. This new pillar of the Pacific cultural calendar adds another dimension to the strong relationship between the European Union and the Pacific as we celebrate the uniqueness and creativity that we all share in common.
While launching the festival at the Press Club event hosted at the European Union Residence in Suva, the European Union Ambassador to Fiji and for the Pacific, Sujiro Seam said: “As we emerge from the challenges and isolation we confronted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Film Festival brings us together to enjoy the cinema with friends and family. It is a reminder of the importance of sharing our stories and experiences with one another, and an opportunity to reconnect with all that we share in common.’’
The European Film Festival in Suva will showcase seven films with productions from ten different European countries with a variety of styles, genres, and stories. They provide a window to the vibrant world in Europe — from Finland to France, Slovakia to Spain, and more. They give an insight into the lives of Europeans from all backgrounds and show that we all have our own unique stories to tell, but that our humanity is what unites us all. The themes are universal and touch upon people with disabilities, refugees, prisoners in rehabilitation programs, friendship, family ties, struggle for livelihood, and many more.
The festival’s screening schedule is available on the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific website: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/european-union-film-festival-2021_en and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DelegationOfTheEuropeanUnionForThePacific.
The European films are screened in Damodar City Cinema and Village 6 Cinema in Suva. Seats are available on a first-come first-serve basis on the screening date. Reservations are not required.
The European Film Festival is a public event open to everyone free of charge.
Photo: EU