Ambassador’s note

I’m glad to introduce a new edition of the European Film Festival.

Last year, the European Union and South Africa celebrated ten years of our Strategic Partnership, which enhances our long diplomatic, trade and development support relationship, initiated in support of the victims of Apartheid and strengthened during democratic South Africa.

Underpinning our strong Partnership there must be an increased understanding of each other, an understanding that cultural exchanges contribute to create.

In 2018 we celebrate the 100h anniversary of Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu, two cultural icons that continue to inspire Europeans and that we are celebrating in Europe, including during the recent European Development Days or the coming European tour of MIAGI Youth Orchestra ‘Be the Legacy’!, to name but a few events. 2018 is also the year of European Culture Heritage, a culture of diversity and openness that I hope this year’s award winning, handpicked, film selection will contribute to showcase.

I would finally like to thank the British Council for leading the organisation, the Embassy of the United Kingdom, the Curators and our partners Ster-Kinekor and the National Arts Festival for their hard work and support.

Ambassador Marcus Cornaro
Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of South Africa

Director’s note

Wamkelekile

I am delighted to welcome you to the 5th edition of the European Film Festival in South Africa, set against the backdrop of ‘interesting times’ in all our countries.  It is of course fascinating to watch how European filmmaking both reflects and conditions the times we live in, and the selection that you can see during this year’s event is the very best on offer from some of the world’s most talented artists. Each piece is outstanding in its own way, but taken together you can see work that gives multiple perspectives on the challenges we face as citizens of Europe in 2018, with all the contestation and celebration that entails.

This year’s expanded festival takes place not just in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria but also for the first time a selection of these films will be shown at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, helping the best of European filmmaking reach valuable new audiences, while at the same time enriching one of South Africa’s leading arts programmes.

I’m delighted that we have been able to work with our curators Lesedi Oluko Moche and Margherita Di Paolo.  Congratulations to them, and thanks to my colleagues Thabiso Mohare for his work as Festival Manager and Grace Meadows for her ambition and commitment.

We hope you enjoy the European Film Festival 2018!

On behalf of the European partners

Colm McGivern,
Director South Africa, the British Council

Curator’s note

The EUFF is back in South Africa for the 5th year and diversity remains at the heart of what the festival offers and festival goers can expect to journey through a colorful and complex cinematic offering that traverses class, belonging, social media and the socio-cultural landscape of Europe.

As curator, the most exciting feat of this year’s programme are the numerous new “voices” coming out of Europe. Intentional and bold, in their undertaking, these first-time feature directors have firmly secured their seat at the table of visual storytelling. These new award-winning filmmakers are programmed alongside prolific and well-established auteurs, breathing freshness into an ever-evolving Europe.

I wish to thank my co-curator, Margherita Di Paola, who spent many hours, days and weeks wading through films with me to get to the 10 that will be on our big screen.
In addition, I extend a special “thank you” to the EU Delegation, Ster Kinekor and most importantly to YOU, the audience, for your continued support.

We know you will enjoy the festival as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you!

Lesedi Oluko Moche
EUFF Curator 2018