The Cinematheque

“A state-of-the-Union celebration of diversity and accomplishment in filmmaking.”

Nancy Lanthier, Vancouver Sun

Europe without the jet lag!

The European Union Film Festival’s seasonal showcase of contemporary European cinema returns for its 29th edition in Vancouver. Presented in partnership with the Canadian Film Institute (Ottawa) and Toronto’s European Union Film Festival, along with the member states of the European Union and the Delegation of the European Union to Canada, this year’s edition boasts another full slate of 27 films from all 27 EU members. A selection of these films will be available to rent online at euf​fon​line​.ca following the conclusion of the in-person festival. 

The ongoing offensive in Ukraine compels the European Union Film Festival to continue its solidarity screening in support of the embattled EU-candidacy nation, organized in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine to Canada. Proceeds from this year’s film, the potent documentary Traces, will go towards the humanitarian efforts of the Canada–Ukraine Foundation.

Ireland, currently holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union, will lead off this year’s EUFF with a nonfiction portrait of Edna O’Brien, the literary iconoclast who passed away in 2024. From there, all manner of modes, genres, themes, and subject matter will cross our screen (then yours) during this circuitous tour of European moviemaking. Each EU member has hand-selected a film to represent their motion-picture industry, the stipulation being that it must be recent and, ideally, have had little to no screentime in Canada. In turn, a majority of the films will be Vancouver, if not nationwide, premieres.

“[An] annual feast of high-caliber contemporary film from every EU country.”

Stir