Europe’s films set to light up Pakistan’s screens | The Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD:

The European Film Festival (EUFF) 2025 is set to return to Pakistan this November, transforming cinema halls in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore into spaces of artistic dialogue, cultural exchange, and shared storytelling.

Hosted by the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan and curated by Olomopolo Media, the fourth edition of EUFF celebrates the diversity and spirit of European cinema through a carefully curated selection of 19 feature films and 10 short films. The festival will run from November 7 to 23 and is free and open to the public.

The cinematic journey begins in Islamabad, where screenings will be held at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on November 7 and 8. The festival will then move to Karachi on November 15 and 16 at the Karachi Film School before concluding in Lahore on November 22 and 23 at the Alhamra Arts Council.

Each city’s programme will feature screenings, live performances, artistic installations, and interactive activities designed to bring audiences closer to the creative process of filmmaking. The festival’s opening in Islamabad promises a lively two-day programme, offering four feature films, five short films, and two family-oriented titles. Screenings will be accompanied by a social dance, a dramatic reading, and a Filmmakers Mixer —a networking space for artists and industry professionals.

Among the feature films scheduled for Islamabad are ‘Behind the Curtain of High Mountains’ from the Czech Republic, ‘Without Air’ from Hungary, ‘That They May Face the Rising Sun’ from Ireland, and ‘The Olive Tree’ from Spain. These films explore themes of courage, identity, human resilience, and the search for meaning in changing times.

‘Behind the Curtain of High Mountains’ documents the life of Czech mountaineer Dina Sterbova, the first woman to climb the 8,000-metre Cho Oyu peak in the Himalayas in 1984, and her continued humanitarian work in Gilgit-Baltistan.

‘Without Air’ follows a teacher in Hungary whose life spirals after being accused by an angry parent of promoting immorality through a film assignment. ‘That They May Face the Rising Sun’ reflects the quiet rhythms of life in rural Ireland, while ‘The Olive Tree’ tells a heart-warming story of a young girl’s quest to recover a family’s ancient tree in hopes of healing her ailing grandfather.

Short films will also feature prominently in the Islamabad leg, with a lineup that includes ‘Don’t Worry’ (Germany/Croatia), ‘Thermostat 6’ (France), ‘Geo Engineering’ (Germany), ‘So Many Forests’ (France), and ‘A Sunny Day’ (France). Two family-friendly films —’Itty Bitty Princess’ (Finland) and ‘My Dad is a Sausage’ (Belgium) —will provide light-hearted entertainment for younger viewers and families.

The Embassy of Portugal in Islamabad will bring a special focus on Portuguese cinema through two films – ‘A Sea of Trash’ and ‘Snu’ – both included in this year’s EUFF lineup. Directed by Tania Paiva, ‘A Sea of Trash’ (2019) is a short documentary chronicling the work of ‘Sea’s Brigade’, a volunteer group that cleaned 45 kilometres of Portugal’s coastline to raise awareness about marine pollution. The film will be screened at PNCA during the Islamabad leg of the festival.

‘Snu’, directed by Patricia Sequeira, tells the real-life story of Snu Abecassis and Francisco Sa Carneiro, whose relationship in post-revolutionary Portugal symbolised courage and conviction amid political transformation. The film will be shown in Karachi on November 16.

The Karachi chapter will unfold at the Karachi Film School, where screenings, readings, and live performances will blend European storytelling with the city’s vibrant cultural energy. Audiences will once again experience the festival’s signature mix of film and performance, concluding each evening with a lively social dance celebrating artistic connection.

In Lahore, the Alhamra Arts Council will host the final leg of EUFF 2025, featuring screenings, installations, and interactive activities across Hall 3, the Adabi Baithak, and the open courtyard. The closing ceremony will include a dramatic reading on the first evening and a social dance on the second, reflecting Lahore’s longstanding love for the arts.

Across all three cities, EUFF 2025 offers far more than a film showcase. Audiences will be immersed in creative spaces featuring interactive installations such as the ‘Wall of Fame’, which celebrates a century of European cinema through 24 distinctive voices, alongside exhibits like the ‘Auteur Ego’, ‘Human Slot Game’, and 360° camera experiences.

Visitors will also find The Reading Nook and Kids’ Corner —spaces designed for reflection and creativity —while food kiosks, photobooths, and open-air lounges add a festive atmosphere, turning each venue into a hub of culture and conversation. Supported by FM91 as Radio Partner and HUM TV and HUM News as Media Partners, the festival has also partnered with the Pakistan Film Society, Digital Development Lab, and Tasweer Ghar to ensure wider reach and community engagement.

Curated by Olomopolo Media, the event continues its mission of promoting social awareness through art. The collective, known for blending performance, design, and media to spark dialogue, has once again shaped EUFF into a celebration of empathy, understanding, and shared human experience.

The festival’s organisers describe EUFF 2025 as a “cultural dialogue in motion,” aiming to strengthen ties between Europe and Pakistan through the universal language of cinema. Families, students, artists, diplomats, and film lovers from all backgrounds are invited to attend without registration or ticket requirements.