Cine Europa concludes Visayan leg

By: Frances Mangosing - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—Cine Europa or the European Film Festival, held its Visayan leg in typhoon-ravaged Leyte this October.

The European Union, in a statement, said it has opted to bring Cine Europa to Leyte one year after strong typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) struck the country as a gesture to local communities in need of some respite.

“Philippine families remained steadfast and strong in times of disasters. They provided comfort in darkest times and bring smiles to weary hearts and for these reasons, the EU is pleased to bring family-focused Cine Europa in Leyte,” said EU Ambassador Ledoux.

Ledoux and Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Osla inaugurated the film festival in Leyte.

Fifteen European countries including 13 European Union member states presented 21 films at Visayas State University in Baybay, Leyte (October 16 to 20) and at the University of the Philippines in Tacloban, Leyte (October 21 to 26).

The Italian film “Scialla” (“Easy”) by Francesco Bruni was the featured film at the Visayas State University during the concluding ceremony on Tuesday. The movie won several prestigious awards at the Venice Film Festival and in the Annecy Italian Cinema Festival.

For the premiere of Cine Europa in Tacloban on Wednesday, the movie “Identity Card,” a bitter comedy set in Czechoslovakia in the 1970s. will be screened at the University of the Philippines.

Admission is free for all screenings.

The festival will also be held in Baguio City, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Davao, Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro between September and November this year.

Cine Europa, now on its 17th year, is organized by the WU Union Cultural Group in Manila and is funded by the European Embassies and Cultural Institutes accredited to the Philippines including the Embassies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, Alliance Française, British Council, Goethe-Institut, Philippine-Italian Association, and the Instituto Cervantes de Manila with the important contribution of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.