The European Union Film Festival in New Delhi with a screening of the British film ‘Coriolanus’. Organized by the Delegation of the European Union and Embassies of EU Member States in partnership with local organisations, the festival will screen 24 recent award winning European movies from 24 European countries, spread over three weeks.

In this festival one will find perennial themes - the redemption of love, the resilience of youth, and the family of man – but presented in new light with a cast of characters which includes revolutionaries, ghosts, spirited children, flamenco artistes, an out of work illusionist, a telecom engineer and a cardiac surgeon.

The 21^st edition of European Union Film Festival (EUFF) 2016 was inaugurated today by H.E. Mr. Tomasz Kozlowski, Ambassador of the European Union to Indiaat the British Council in the presence of the Director, British Council India, Mr. Alan Gemmell OBE, and ambassadors and diplomats from several European countries and film lovers from across the city.

Demetrios Theophylactou, High Commissioner of Cyprus to India, H.E. Mr. Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of Czech Republic to India andH.E. Mr. Laimonas Talat-Kelpša, Ambassador of Lithuania to India, were present on this occasion.Also present at the event were Dr. Zoltan Wilhelm, Director – Balassi Institute, Hungarian Information and Culture Centre,Mr. Roland Chojnacki, Director, Polish Institute and other distinguished guests.

Speaking on the occasion H.E.Mr Kozlowski said, “I am delighted to present to viewers in India the largest ever offering of 24 films from our Member States. India, itself is now a global giant in the movie business and Indians have been among the most appreciative and iconoclastic audiences of European Cinema anywhere. And so, this coming of age of the EUFF in India, testifying to its popularity, is a cause for celebration." Mr. Kozlowski added that "Compared to last year, the Festival has increased the number of movies from 21 to 24 and the number of cities from 8 to 11. We are also delighted that we have the support of the Directorate of Film Festival in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. They will sponsor a further screening of many of the EUFF movies in Delhi at the Siri Fort auditorium later in the summer.  "

Alan Gemmell OBE, Director British Council India welcomed the dignitaries to the new auditorium in the British Council. As the British Council’s Chief Executive he said, “The Festival is a fantastic opportunity to share ideas, use stories to bring us together and celebrate the shared love of films in India, the UK and across the EU”.

The English film ‘Coriolanus’ from UK marked the opening of the European Union film festival. Directed by the world-renowned actor and now director Ralph Fiennes, it is based on the Shakespearean play of the same name.The cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave and Jessica Chastain and the plot revolves around Coriolanus, the hero of Rome, a great soldier and a man of inflexible self-belief.

Over next 3 weeks film loversin Delhi can watch 24 European movies from varied genres ranging from the comedy of the absurd to gripping drama, unexpected romance and heart-stopping action to regale audiences. All films will have subtitles in English. Over this weekend, Delhi film enthusiasts can watch Urban Family (Finland), Silent Hear (Denmark) &Cats Don't Have Vertigo (Portugal) at The British Council.

The EUFF will be held across 5 venues in Delhi - The British Council, Embassy of the Slovak Republic, Instituto Cervantes, India Habitat Centre, and India International Centre. A second screening of all the films will be held at Sri Fort Auditorium towards end of July in collaboration with the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The festival will traverse through Delhi, Chennai, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Jodhpur over next three months.

Entry at all venues will be on a first come, first served basis.However, for movies to be screened at the British Council, registration will be through their website.                             

The films to be screened at the EUFF are –Austria – Jack; Belgium - Les Rayures du Zèbre |(Scouting for Zebras), Cyprus - Block 12, Czech Republic -Three Brothers, Denmark - StilleHjerte |Silent Heart, Finland - Ollaanvapaita |Urban Family, France - L'illusionniste, |(The Illusionist), Germany – Jack, Greece - Wild Duck, Hungary - Utóélet |(Afterlife); Ireland - The Irish Rebellion; Italy - Michiamo Maya(My Name Is Maya); Latvia - Mother, I love you, Lithuania - Edeno Sodas (The Garden of Eden); Luxembourg - Dead Man Talking, Malta - Simshar, Netherlands - Michiel De Ruyter |Admiral, Poland - Bogowie (Gods); Portugal - Cats Don't Have Vertigo, Slovakia - Rytmus – A Dream from the Block; Slovenia - Sailing to Paradise; Spain - Flamenco From The Roots; Sweden – ÅTERTRÄFFEN (The Reunion); United Kingdom – Coriolanus.

EUFF dates and venues in other cities will be announced on the website and Facebook pages of the EU Delegation in the coming days at:

http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/india/more_info/euff_2016_en.htm