European Film Festival returns to Fiji with free screenings across four centres

The fifth European Film Festival will return to Fiji next week, offering free screenings of award-winning European films in Suva, Pacific Harbour, Lautoka and Labasa from July 16 to 25.

The festival, organised by the European Union Delegation to the Pacific in partnership with European Union member states and Damodar Cinemas, was launched in Suva on Thursday.

Damodar Cinemas chief executive Div Damodar said the company was proud to continue its partnership with the European Union to bring international films and cultural experiences to Fiji.

Mr Damodar said this year's festival was especially significant because it had expanded beyond Suva, allowing audiences in Pacific Harbour, Lautoka and Labasa to enjoy the screenings.

"We are very proud of this joint venture that brings different content and experiences to cinemas in Fiji," he said.

Mr Damodar encouraged people to take advantage of the free screenings, saying the films offered entertainment while introducing audiences to different European cultures.

"The films are fantastic and provide a different cultural experience. We invite the people of Fiji to come and enjoy them. It's free, and we look forward to hearing about their experiences on social media and at our cinemas," he said.

European Union Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Nereo Penalver-Garcia said cinema had the power to transport audiences to new cultures, languages and landscapes while offering fresh perspectives on how people around the world lived.

He said he hoped every film would leave audiences with a smile, a new perspective or simply the joy of a well-told story.

The festival will feature films from Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Slovakia and Spain. The programme includes family comedies, animated adventures and coming-of-age stories.

Free screenings will be held in Suva from July 16 to 24 before moving to Pacific Harbour, Lautoka and Labasa on July 25.

All screenings are free as part of the European Union's commitment to promoting cultural exchange and public diplomacy in Fiji.

Festival schedule

• Suva: July 16–24
• Pacific Harbour: July 25
• Lautoka: July 25
• Labasa: July 25
• Admission: Free