End of the 22nd European Film Festival

30.12.2021

The 22nd European Film Festival (EUFF) has come to an end. Over the course of a month from 15 November to 15 December, the virtual film festival featured 20 movies from Europe that casted a spotlight on the diversity and everyday life of Europeans.

The festival served as a platform to open Europe up to the rest of the world. It aimed to portray that much like Malaysia, Europe is a melting pot of various types of people and culture. Ultimately, the film festival is used as a medium to foster international understanding between Europe and Malaysia. Head of the Political, Press and Information Section of the Delegation, Mr. Timo Goosmann said that through these films, there is an opportunity to understand the social realities, dreams and aspirations of other countries.

Man talking on a microphone

“The European Film Festival is an important element for the European Union’s cultural diplomacy. The EU supports culture as an engine for sustainable social and economic development and for intercultural dialogue for peaceful inter-community relations.

“Malaysia also has made headways in its arts industry, realising the power of cinema to send a message. We welcome the opportunity for collaboration with the Malaysian creative industry,” Goosmann said.

The European Film Festival closing reception was held at TGV Cinemas Sunway Velocity Mall on 15 December 2021. The event featured a screening of the movie “Small Country: An African Childhood (Petit Pays).

“Small Country: An African Childhood” is a French film that showcases the devastating effects of war from the eyes of a child. Set in the timeframe of the Rwandan genocide, we see the innocence of kids games to the emergence of ethnic hatred, latent threats, creeping danger and ambient chaos. Small Country will remain a visual reminder on the importance of safeguarding peace and the innocence of childhood.

Group of people talking a reception

At the reception, representatives from European embassies, cultural institutions, Malaysian government officials as well as media personnel had an opportunity to express their views regarding the film screening as well as the film festival as a whole.

The Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia would like to express its immense gratitude to the partners that have made EUFF a reality, the ‘Keluarga Eropah’ (European Family) that has supported us through this endeavour. A special note of gratitude to TGV Cinemas and media partners, Malay Mail, Astro Awani and Malaysiakini.