For the past years, the Cine Europa launches with a festive and fabulous gala night attended by the members and officers of the diplomatic community, renowned film critics, educators and film enthusiasts across the country.

Much as the traditional way of launching is desired by the European Union Delegation to the Philippines and the European Union member states embassies, this will be deferred for the time being as everyone is getting adjusted to the “new normal” where health and safety protocols are foremost in seeking ways to relax.

But don’t fret. Because  Cine Europa 23 brings in a comprehensive roster of films for everyone to enjoy that never before seen in the Philippine entertainment landscape.

Starting this weekend, a carousel of films will certainly satisfy your cravings for romance, comedy, a thriller with films such as Commes de Garcons (Let the Girls Play) from France to Ženy v běhu (Women on the Run) from the Czech Republic; Swedish film And Then We Danced and Buñuel en el Laberinto de Las Totugas from Spain to King of the Belgians from Belgium and Bad Poems from Hungary.

You will never run out of choices, as during this coming first week of Cine Europa, films from countries such as Latvia, Poland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, The Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, and Finland, will provide you a chance to feel how it is to come out of age, to fall in love, to dream and to hope, to fight for what is right and to persevere. Films, after all, can always bring your emotions to the fore and let you pause for a moment to reflect on the common struggles and how you can overcome and triumph over these challenges. For the complete films of Cine Europa for the whole of November, please refer to www.cineeuropaph.com.

Cine Europa has even made it a notch higher as its carefully-curated films do not just entertain but provide a deeper insight into the complexities, excitement and vibrance of the European culture, heritage and lifestyle.

Mr Rafael de Bustamante, First Counsellor of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, said that Cine Europa aims at providing quality films to showcase the diversity of the European creative industries and to highlight cultural relations between the European Union and the Philippines.

Cine Europa shall also feature sessions with filmmakers and film experts to provide their Master’s classes on filmmaking, history and shared cultural value between the EU and the Philippines to Filipino directors and film enthusiasts.

For the past years, we have seen how Cine Europa traveled to other parts of the country. We are glad to know that the EU Delegation to the Philippines and other embassies, cultural institutions are finding ways for creating avenues, despite the pandemic, for cultural appreciation and for allowing us to stay connected with each other, said Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairperson Liza Dino.

Cine Europa brings 19 films from 20 European countries for 30 days and accessible upon signing up at www.cineeuropaph.com until 29 November. Cine Europa also features films from Festival Scope, the EU’s library of quality films, so moviegoers will be able to watch films from countries not represented in the Philippines. The roster of films adds up to those individually provided by European embassies in Manila.

Sign up and bookmark your choices on www.cineeuropaph.com

Not even pandemic can stop Europe’s biggest and most exciting film festival, the Cine Europa.

Starting October 31 to November 29, Pinoys will be treated to the most awaited film festival that brings in19 films from 20 European countries for 30 days and made accessible right at the flick of your fingertips upon signing up at www.cineeuropaph.com.

interestingly, the Cine Europa will be using the unique feature in this 23rd edition of the film festival called ‘Festival Scope’, the EU’s library of quality films, this will allow us to show films from countries not represented in the Philippines. The roster of films adds up to those individually provided by European embassies in Manila.

Despite the virtual environment, Cine Europa will maintain its strong relations with its loyal patrons including those from the various provinces across the country.

The EU Delegation, the European Union member states embassies and Embassy of Switzerland, cultural institutes including Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes Manila, Philippine-Italian Association, continue to value the support of the Filipino movie-going public and have endeavoured to curate a sample of films showing the diversity of the European film industry.

The German film, “Sweethearts” is set to launch Cine Europa on October 31 at 6:30 pm. The comic-thriller, directed by Karoline Herfurth, is about a professional criminal Mel, and her easily-panicked hostage Fanny. Forced together by fate and an ill-executed diamond robbery, the couple is trapped in a race against time. Soon pursued by a relentless detective and the greedy Berlin underworld, they are left with no other choice than to work together.

Special Features

Cine Europa 23 shall feature three animated films for families and children. These value-laden films are expected to share lessons that all viewers can relate with. European culture is not very different from Philippine traditions that are why Cine Europa’s audiences will definitely enjoy and see the commonalities between the two regions.

The usual educational component of Cine Europa continues this year as professional speakers are expected to share and engage with Filipino cinephiles in various subjects ranging from directing, producing, and promoting film masterpieces.

Mr Rafael de Bustamante, First Counsellor of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, said that Cine Europa aims at exposing the Filipino public to films that rarely make it to the commercial theatres. Cine Europa also wants to increase cooperation between, our creative industries and to maximize reach by the use of new platforms. 

This year’s film festival will be presented to media on October 30, with Mr Bustamante along with Ms Liza Dino, Chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and ambassadors and cultural attaches of the EU member states’ embassies and cultural institutes.

Mr Bustamante said that the “celebration of the cultural partnership between the EU and the Philippines continues with Cine Europa which is getting bigger every year”.

“The EU wants to sustain its tradition of providing highly-acclaimed European films to the Filipino moviegoers”. 

The values of love, hope, friendship, family, courage, strength and perseverance cut across all cultures whether in the European or in the Filipino context, said Mr de Bustamante.

Those who want to enjoy the movie-marathon right in the comfort of their home may sign up on www.cineeuropaph.com  and stay tuned for updates and trivia games at Cine Europa’s social media channels in Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. 

Posters of each of Cine Europa films may be accessed at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1k42nIbglHU0Ybjv_NO9Yk9zkmXthl388

Other details are available at www.cineeuropaph.com.