Latest news with #EuropeanFilmFestival
Zawya
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Zawya
The sixth edition of the European Film Festival in Mauritius: 5 dates, 5 locations, 10 films, 7 European Union (EU) Member States to celebrate Europe Day!
This sixth edition of the European Film Festival Mauritius, organised from 3 to 30 May 2025 to mark Europe Day and the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, featured films from seven EU Member States, various film genres as well as a ' clin d'oeil' to Mauritius-Europe collaboration in cinema. Freedom, resilience, solidarity and exchange were the key words of the Festival that has gathered 500 spectators in 5 locations of the island. Each screening had a specific theme, from Ukraine and German-speaking films to EU-Mauritius cooperation in cinema. The Ambassador, Oskar Benedikt stated : ' The European Film Festival aims to bring Europe closer to citizens through free screenings of films across Mauritius. Several evenings, several places, different themes.' The opening night took place in the magnificent garden of the Château de Labourdonnais with the screening of the Hungarian short film 'Under the volcano' and the visually stunning French feature film ' Le Règne Animal', selected in the ' Un Certain Regard Section ' of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. The second screening was dedicated to Ukraine. Several members of the Ukrainian Association of Mauritius, wearing the traditional shirt (vyshyvanka), gathered to watch the Ukrainian short film 'It's a date' by Nadia Parfan and the Polish feature film 'Under the volcano' by Damian Kocur about a Ukrainian family stranded in Tenerife, Spain when Russia launched its war of aggression against Ukraine. While addressing the audience, Mr Marios Vitos, Head of Political, Press and Information Section at the EU Delegation stated that this 'special Ukraine' screening was a sign of our solidarity with Ukraine and its people. The President of the Ukrainian Association of Mauritius said : ' We are deeply grateful to the European Film Festival for dedicating a screening to Ukraine as an act of cultural solidarity. Seeing 'It's a Date' by Nadia Parfan included in the program, and especially 'Under the Volcano', which portrays the abrupt loss of home and normality experienced by a Ukrainian family, brought a meaningful feeling to our community: the feeling of being seen. At a time when the war in Ukraine risks fading into background noise for much of the world, creating space for Ukrainian stories – especially far from Europe – is powerful. It helps preserve memory, affirm identity, and remind us that behind every headline are human lives.' On the programme of the third outdoor screening, two German-speaking films including 'The Endlosen' (Germany, 2024), and a feature film 'Mermaids don't cry' (Austria, 2022) from the catalogue of the Goethe Institute-Institut français-Cineuropa Consortium. For the fourth screening at the Pointe Canon Open Air Theatre in Mahebourg - a small village on the South East coast of the island, an important historical and cultural place for Mauritians - the Festival put a focus on Mauritius-Europe cooperation in cinema with the short film 'Bann Vag Laliberte' by Mauritian film director Christopher Amurat and Spanish producer Javier Olivas and the Belgian feature film 'Mo'Zar, Mon Style' by Sebastien Peretti about Nolwenn, a Mauritian girl who joins Mo'zar Espace Artistic to learn piano. Two powerful stories with two young Mauritian main characters about resilience and hope. The screening was followed by a small concert by several students from Mo'zar Espace Artistic that provides musical training to children in Roche Bois, an impoverished suburb of the capital-city that has acquired a negative reputation. The final screening started with a short film 'Pie dan lo' by Mauritian film director Kim Yip Tong about the oil spill caused by the wreck of the Wakashio. Accompanied by her team, she gave a short presentation about their work and replied to questions from the audience concerning the techniques used to produce the 13-minute film depicting one of the most traumatic natural disasters in the country's history. The short film was followed by ' Angelo dans la forêt mystérieuse', an animation film for the young audience coproduced by France and Luxemburg. A number of organisations have supported the Festival including the Embassy of Austria in Kenya, the Institut français de Maurice, the Goethe Institute - Institut français - Cineuropa consortium as well as a number of local partners, in particular the Ministry of Arts and Culture and the Film Classification Board. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius and the Republic of Seychelles.
AsiaOne
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
What to do this weekend (May 2 to 4), Lifestyle News
Ready for the weekend? Here's what you can look forward to this week. 1. Singapore HeritageFest 2025 [embed] Explore Singapore's living heritage at the 22nd edition of Singapore HeritageFest, Singapore's longest-running celebration of our shared cultural identity. This year, the festival spotlights our Intangible Cultural Heritage, or living heritage - the rich customs, traditions, practices, and stories that connect us across generations. You're invited to experience, learn about, and celebrate these irreplaceable cultural expressions through engaging tours, interactive workshops, fascinating exhibitions, and dynamic performances across the island. Till May 25 2025 Find out more here 2. European Film Festival 2025 [embed] Head to the movies with the return of the European Film Festival from now till May 24. This annual festival showcases a curated selection of foreign films from the best of contemporary cinema across the EU, from documentaries to cartoons, dramas, slice-of-life stories, and more. Till May 24 2025 Find out more here 3. Curious Worlds Journey into the neuroscience of the human experience with the ArtScience Museum's newest programme. Organised as a micro-festival accompanying "Mirror Mirror: Journey into the Mind" and "Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses", Curious Worlds draws from the topics and themes explored in both exhibitions to showcase the work of neuroscience researchers, modern naturalists, and even fashion designers and technologists who are innovating for a more inclusive and accessible future. You can look forward to thought-provoking exhibits, insightful talks, pop-up conversations, workshops, performances, demonstrations and naturalist tours across three thematic tracks - neuroscience and neuropsychology, adaptive fashion and assistive tech, and natural history and biodiversity. [embed] Till May 25 2025 Find out more here 4. Peter Rabbit High Tea Step into the world of the classic children's story The Tale of Peter Rabbit with a whimsical high tea experience by Skai. Inspired by the adventures of Peter Rabbit and the rustic beauty of Mr. McGregor's garden, the menu features a delightful medley of sweet and savoury creations, thoughtfully crafted to capture the nostalgia and magic of Beatrix Potter's timeless tale. [[nid:699610]] Feast on savoury delights like the Mr McGregor's Garden Sandwich with beef brisket and miso on seeded bread and The Forbidden Orchard Tartlet, which combines foie gras with apple. Then, nibble on sweet treats such as Flopsy's Berry Basket, which offers a waffle cup filled with blueberries, and Peter's Garden Pot, which creates an edible chocolate garden with gelato and citrus. You can also pair your meal with a floral mocktail like Flopsy's Blossom Fizz, or upgrade to the Mischief in the Garden cocktail, which blends vodka, carrot juice, and honey ginger syrup. Till June 30 2025 Find out more here This article was first published in Wonderwall .sg .
L'Orient-Le Jour
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- L'Orient-Le Jour
European Film Festival starts today in Beirut: Discover our selection
From April 30 to May 11, the 29th edition of the European Film Festival will light up the screens of Metropolis Cinema in Mar Mikhael with more than 35 films, special guests, concerts, tributes and a steadfast passion for the seventh art. The festival is organized by the European Union delegation in Lebanon, in partnership with the Metropolis Cinema Association and EU member state embassies. Opening with a Cannes favorite The festival will open with Flow by Gints Zilbalodis, a Latvian sensation unveiled at Cannes in 2024. The silent animated feature — which won the 2025 Oscar for Best Animated Feature and more than 50 international awards — follows a cat navigating a dreamlike, submerged world. The film promises to set the tone for a festival focused on innovation and emotion. The opening night is by invitation only, ahead of the film's national release on May 8. This year's lineup includes 21 feature films from across Europe, offering Lebanese audiences a bold and varied look at contemporary European cinema. Among them are several festival prizewinners, including two animated films for younger viewers. Special "movie-snack" screenings will be held for children from underserved communities. Alongside the European selections, 12 short films by emerging Lebanese filmmakers will compete for awards. Two winners will be selected to attend a European film festival, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut and the French Institute of Lebanon. Cinema as a living experience Among the festival's standout events is Voyage to the Land of Fairies, a hybrid of concert and screening. The duo Catherine Vincent will reinterpret four enchanting short films by Georges Méliès and Lotte Reiniger in a musical, humorous, and poetic cine-concert, blending shadow theater and melodic storytelling. The festival also includes two special screenings with a focus on memory. Spanish classic Jamón Jamón by Bigas Luna will be shown in its restored version, with actor Jordi Mollà in attendance. The closing night on May 11 will feature the digitized version of Youssef Maalouf's Abou Salim, the Messenger of Love, a tribute to the beloved TV icon, who will attend the screening. A poster that speaks Beirut This year's festival poster, designed by Natasha Simonian, captures Beirut's raw energy: stray cats, tangled wires, and a city suspended between daily poetry and chaos. The design was chosen through an online competition, reflecting the festival's spirit of community and openness. Screenings will also reach audiences beyond Beirut, with events planned in Saida, Tripoli and Jounieh. Four must-see feature films The Story of Souleymane – Boris Lojkine (France) Monday, May 5 at 6 p.m. & Thursday, May 8 at 7 p.m. In the streets of Paris, Souleymane rehearses his story in preparation for an asylum interview. This poignant portrait of a suspended migrant, awarded at Cannes, stands out for its intensity and emotional depth. The Poet's Fiancée – Yolande Moreau (Belgium) Wednesday, May 7 at 9 p.m. In her inherited family home, Mireille hosts three eccentric tenants who disturb her solitude and stir romantic memories. A delicately offbeat comedy, true to Moreau's style. The End – Joshua Oppenheimer (Denmark) Friday, May 9 at 6 p.m. In a post-apocalyptic world, a family lives sealed in a bunker. The arrival of a stranger disrupts their balance. With Tilda Swinton, this philosophical chamber piece is haunting and provocative. Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush – Andreas Dresen (Germany) Thursday, May 1 at 8:30 p.m. & Saturday, May 10 at 4 p.m. A Turkish-German mother fights to free her son from Guantanamo. A moving and satirical courtroom drama, awarded the Silver Bear in Berlin. The Past Is Calling – Perla Geagea In a deserted Beirut home, an exiled voice returns to haunt the walls in a poetic audiovisual elegy. A silent meditation on what's left when everything is lost — haunting and understated. Bitter Greens, Tangled Roots – Abdallah Dannaoui A phone call between an exiled brother and sister rekindles memories of a vanished Lebanon. Sensitive Strings – Amal Ghamlooch A musician takes the stage one final time in a heartfelt, unadorned farewell. Awards will be announced during the closing ceremony on Sunday, May 11 at 8:30 p.m., followed by Abou Salim, the Messenger of Love. For Young Audiences: A Galactic Adventure Diplodocus – Wojtek Wawszczyk (Poland) Saturday, May 10 at 12 p.m. A small dinosaur capable of interplanetary travel sets out to find his parents. Packed with quirky characters and kinetic animation, this interstellar journey is perfect for children aged 8 and up. Festival Information Location: Metropolis Cinema, Mar Mikhael Dates: April 30 – May 11, 2025 Tickets: 400,000 Lebanese liras, available at or at the cinema Opening night: By invitation only
