The 26th edition of Cine Europa – the EU’s flagship film festival in the Philippines – made its on-site comeback this year with 28 films screened across 8 venues in Metro Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod and Davao.

From 8 June to 16 July 2023, the EU Delegation to the Philippines (EUD) partnered with the EU Member State embassies in Manila and their cultural institutes, to bring a diverse selection of Europe’s best films to cinemas, cinematheques and outdoor venues nationwide.

Screenings for over 6 500 people were made possible with the support of local governments, businesses and institutions such as the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Parks Development Committee.

Cine Europa 26 opened with Murina from Croatia and Slovenia. Other special screenings for Belgian, Czech, Irish and Slovak films were showcased with the festival’s launch in each city, headlined by diplomats, mayors and business leaders from the EU and the Philippines.

This year’s run sustained coverage by media outlets, which featured 63 stories on the event. The event was followed on social media, with over 170 260 followers across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by the end of July.

Running in the Philippines for over a quarter of a century since 1997, Cine Europa was only briefly interrupted when it was forced online during COVID-19. This year, its return to the physical stage proved popular with audiences, confirming it as a key platform to bring European culture to local audiences.

EU film festivals around the world reach out to make Europe, its values and its stories known, and are carried out in line with the EU’s external strategy for culture.

For more on Cine Europa 26 and to stay ahead of EUD’s other activities, check back regularly on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.