Daily TribuneThe silver anniversary edition of Cine Europa is following a hybrid format, opening doors both physically and virtually to every Filipino.
Guests flocked to the SM Seaside in Cebu for the opening of this year’s Cine Europa and to celebrate its silver year. | photographs courtesy of THE EU DELEGATION TO THE PHILIPPINES
Dr. Vivina Chiu, president of Arts Council of Cebu, Mme. Nicole Weissman, wife of Ambassador Luc Véron, Dr. Ana Isabel Sanchez Ruiz, deputy head, EU Delegation to the Philippines with Marissa Fernan, vice president of SM Prime and Robert Leon of the EU Delegation at the opening of Cine Europa in SM Seaside in Cebu City.
For the past 25 years, Cine Europa has been the hallmark cultural event of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines. Beyond showing European films, this program has become a platform to strengthen EU-Philippine cultural relations and collaboration with Philippine cultural institutions and other partners.
For Cine Europa 2022, the EU Delegation, the European Union Member States Embassies together with Cultúr Éireann, the Irish Film Institute, Goethe -Institut, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, and the Philippine-Italian Association have curated a set of award-winning films showcasing different genres.
This year's festival puts particular emphasis on youth in celebration of the European Year of Youth 2022, and features the guest participation of an Ukrainian film in solidarity with Ukraine and its people, victims of an illegal war of aggression and invasion by Russia.
"Film is deeply rooted in Europe's culture which we are very proud about. It mirrors our identity and speaks a lot about our heritage and what we are," said Dr. Ana-Isabel Sanchez-Ruiz, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the Philippines.
Sanchez-Ruiz opened the film festival at the SM Seaside in Cebu City last 14 September. Cebu was one of the pioneer host cities of the film festival when Cine Europa was brought outside Manila in 2001.
With the Covid-19 pandemic easing up, the silver anniversary edition of Cine Europa is following a hybrid format, opening doors both physically and virtually to every Filipino, while endeavoring to ensure the safety and health of everyone.
On its silver year, Cine Europa brings a whopping 30 films from 15 EU Member States for free. These films may be watched onsite in select venue partners in Cebu City, Metro Manila, Iloilo, and Palawan, or online upon signing up at www.cineeuropaph.com. Check out Cine Europa's Facebook page for updates.
