Connecting Europe and Panama through cinema

The opening of European Film Week 2025 took place on Monday, May 19, with the presentation of Panamanian finalist short films from the Euro CineLab 2025 regional competition, an initiative carried out in collaboration with the Delegations in El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. Among the three finalists, "Daughter of the Earth" by Helen Miranda won the first prize. The audience had the opportunity to interact with the young directors of the short films, encouraging them to continue pursuing their cinematic vocation. He also heard reflections from Belgian-Ecuadorian filmmaker Xavier Solano, lead instructor of Euro CineLab, and Luis Romero, Panamanian social cinema filmmaker and member of the Euro CineLab 2025 jury.

During the European Film Week, 12 films from European Union Member States and Ukraine were screened: Homecoming (Finland), Les pas perdus (Belgium), The Girls Are All Right (Spain), Walchensee Forever (Germany), The Man with the Answers (Cyprus), Doors of War (Ukraine - Canada), Little Bear (Poland), My Inner Journey (France), Tula: The Revolution (Netherlands), The Four Souls of Coyote (Hungary), Vadio (Portugal), and Límite (Bulgaria - Mexico). These screenings were aligned with the theme of cultural and natural routes, exploring stories and landscapes that transcend borders.

The European Film Week 2025 attracted more than 150 people to the cinema halls of the University of Panama's Experimental University Film Group (GECU) over the four days of screenings. Exploring themes of identity, culture, and connection, it reaffirmed the value of cinema as a medium for sharing stories that resonate globally, highlighting its ability to unite us in our diversity.

Exploring migration and diversity through a film lab

Belgian-Ecuadorian independent filmmaker Xavier Solano, lead instructor at Euro CineLab, visited Panama to present the awards ceremony for the 2025 edition and subsequently offer a four-day lab focused on "Film, Paths and Culture," in collaboration with the Grupo Experimental de Cine Universitario and the Red Crea network, led by Luis Romero.

The lab combined theory and practice, including the analysis of various documentaries and fiction films created by Euro CineLab, analysing how a film can be made with limited financial resources and on a short notice. Exercises were also conducted on how to carry out a good interview, delving into various topics such as identity and migration. The practical part of the workshop included the creation of a portrait of one of the participants, using testimony as a narrative tool, in a short timeframe, as well as its presentation and defence.

The film lab included eight students from the University of Panama's School of Communication, twelve professionals (audiovisual professionals, cameramen, screenwriters, and sound specialists, many of whom are members of GECU), as well as one person outside the discipline who wanted to delve into the world of film.

The participants concluded that we all have a migratory past and are all potential characters for a future documentary. The need to create intergenerational dialogue and to have more spaces like this lab to experiment and explore the limits of creativity was emphasised.

The film lab in Panama was incredible: the exchange between GECU technicians and young filmmakers inspires me to continue creating these spaces where human interaction is paramount.

Xavier Solano, main instructor of Euro CineLab

Raising awareness of Ukrainian suffering after three years of unprovoked and illegal war

Wednesday, May 21st, was notable for the premiere of the Ukrainian-Canadian film, Doors of War. At the invitation of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Panama, the event was attended by co-directors Taras Lesiuk and Annick Sheedy McLellan, as well as Lesia Miliutenko, Cultural Diplomacy Officer at the Embassy of Ukraine in Mexico and Concurrent Representative for Panama. In her opening remarks, Ambassador Izabela Matusz reaffirmed the European Union's firm commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Lilia Cherniak, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Diaspora, emphasized the ongoing efforts to draw Panamanians' attention to the devastating consequences of the Russian invasion. Before a packed auditorium at the Canal Museum, the filmmakers gave a moving speech about the Ukrainian people's struggle for freedom and dignity.

Through Doors of War, the audience learned about the project of Ruslan Kurt, a contemporary activist and artist, who transports Ukrainian doors damaged and destroyed by the large-scale Russian invasion to be displayed throughout Canada, his new home. By showing the tragedies faced by the millions of Ukrainians forced to cross their doors to escape Russian troops, this documentary moved the audience and provoked reflection on war, time, and human connections.

During their stay in Panama, directors Taras Lesiuk and Annick Sheedy McLellan met with H.E. Izabela Matusz, Ambassador of the European Union to Panama, and Adriana Beneditti, Deputy Minister of Culture, along with the Ukrainian Diaspora. Additionally, they participated in a radio interview on the program Una hora con Julio Miller and a television interview on the NexTV morning programme. It is also worth mentioning that the directors shared their experience with the participants in the film workshop, taught during the week by Xavier Solano, since the theme of migration is at the heart of the documentary Doors of War. The conversation inspired reflections on the purpose of art: as evidence of existence, identity, and the capacity for resilience, both at personal and community level.