This year's European Film Festival will be held across four locations in Fiji, with screenings taking place in Suva, Pacific Harbour, Lautoka and Labasa.
The festival was officially launched in Suva and marks the fifth consecutive year the European Union has hosted the event in Fiji.Speaking at the launch, European Union Ambassador to the Pacific Barbara Plinkert says the film festival forms part of the European Union's global cultural calendar, with similar festivals held in countries around the world where the EU is represented.
Plinkert says the festival aims to bring Europe closer to Fiji by sharing European stories, experiences and perspectives with local audiences through film.
She says films from several European Union member states are being showcased throughout the festival, including France, Germany and Spain, the three EU member states represented in Fiji.
Plinkert says the festival gives Fijians greater access to European cultures while strengthening cultural ties between Europe and Fiji.
She says the festival was introduced in Fiji five years ago after the European Union decided to bring the successful initiative to local audiences.
Plinkert says the European Union's partnership with Damodar Cinemas has continued to grow, allowing the festival to reach more people around the country.
The festival began in Suva before expanding to Labasa two years ago.
This year, screenings are also taking place in Lautoka and Pacific Harbour for the first time, making the festival accessible to even more Fijians.
Plinkert says the festival continues to attract people of all ages and backgrounds, making it an important platform for cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
The second day of the festival opens with the Latvian film "Grandpa More Dangerous Than Computer" at 5pm today at Damodar City Cinemas in Suva.Other screenings include "Mortadelo and Filemon against Jimmy the Joker" from Spain at 2pm and "Captain Morten and the Spider Queen" from Estonia at 4pm tomorrow.
"Living Large" from Czechia will be screened at 5pm next Thursday, while "Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest" from France will be screened at 5pm next Friday.
The festival will also travel outside Suva next Saturday.
Audiences in Lautoka and Labasa can watch the Belgian short film "Prout" at 2pm, followed by the German film "Greetings from Mars" at 2.15pm.
In Pacific Harbour, "Prout" will be screened at 7pm, followed by "Greetings from Mars" at 7.15pm.
All films are rated G, making the festival suitable for audiences of all ages.
