Events Taking Place at the 8th European Film Festival
The 8th European Film Festival is screening 18 new films from across the continent online and free from 14-24 October. While this selection encapsulates some of Europe’s finest film productions and forms the heart of the festival, they’re accompanied by insightful Live Zoom panel discussions, filmmaker interviews, community events and school programmes. These virtual and physical events go beyond the celluloid to engage with South African audiences in a thoughtful and meaningful way.
The European Film Festival is so much more than just an exhibition, enabling audiences to go behind-the-scenes with topical and relevant panel discussions, meet the actual filmmakers through intimate Q&A sessions and engage through a number of community events and school programmes.
Bookings Now Open
Discussion Panels
Fri 15 Oct, 18:00 – Breaking Glass Ceilings for Women in Film
This year’s selection features 13 films directed by women and you can participate in a discussion about the empowerment of women in film, more specifically the challenges, accomplishments and journey. The panel features veteran Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland (Charlatan), Dutch filmmaker and writer Antoinette Beumer (My Father is an Airplane) and Zanele Mthembu of Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT) with moderation by Bongiwe Selane.
Mon 18 Oct, 18.00 – New Approaches to Teaching and Inspiring Our Youth
Dieter Bachmann who inspired the extraordinary documentary Mr Bachmann and His Class will be in conversation with Prof Mary Metcalfe and Andisiwe Hlungwane of Teachers CAN in this discussion facilitated by Dr Rene Smith from Durban University of Technology.
Tue 19 Oct – A Focus on Personal Journeys and Survival Strategies
Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the festival will be hosting this discussion in partnership with CANSA, moderated by South African actress, author, film producer and activist Rosie Motene and featuring The Bright Side director Ruth Meehan and Anthea Lewis (Global Hero of Hope and CANSA coordinator).
Wed 20 Oct, 18.00 – A Film About Life, Death and Money
Save Sandra directors, Jan Verheyen and Lien Willaert, will be engaging in their film’s topical discussion about a family’s struggles against the pharmaceutical industry to secure medicine for their daughter with Daily Maverick editor and health/education activist Mark Heywood.
Thu 21 Oct, 17.00 – Humour, Healing and Messaging
Popular South African comedian, Riaad Moosa, will lead this discussion featuring Michela Andreozzi (Parents versus Influencers), Uje Brandelius (Run Uje Run) and Michael Kreihsl (Risks and Side Effects).
Interviews
Festival goers are encouraged to watch prerecorded Q&A style interview videos with filmmakers from across the board. These will be best enjoyed after watching the film and will be available on the website.
Filmmaker Engagements at Film Schools
AFDA, Wits, Nelson Mandela University and UCT’s film schools will be participating in two closed Live Zoom sessions exploring the filmmaker’s journey with Robust director, Constance Meyer and My Father is an Airplane director Antoinette Beumer. Film students can enquire with their institutions for more information.
Community Events and Schools
Physical screenings will take place in several communities where access to cinema is constrained including: Isivivana Centre and Bertha Movie House in Khayalitsha, Windybrow Arts Centre in Hillbrow, and Sibikwa Arts Centre in Benoni.