Spanish Film “Ramona” Opens the 28th European Film Festival in Beirut
(AWP) - A Spanish film opened the 28th edition of the European Film Festival in the Lebanese capital on Monday evening, where more than 25 new films are to be screened at the Sursock Palace Museum in central Beirut.
Sandra De Waele, European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, opened this year’s edition, which she described as coming amid existing challenges in the country.
In statements to Arab World Press (AWP), De Waele said, “We have been holding it for three decades so there are 30 years of cultural exchange through cinema between Europe and Lebanon. The festival continues and develops with a loyal audience. We are pleased to provide a platform for Lebanese producers to watch films and also to stimulate the Lebanese cinema industry.”
“On one hand, [Lebanese cinema] is very fruitful and on the other, it suffers from the challenges facing the country. I think the festival this year is far more important than in previous years,” she added.
The event, held in association with the EU member states, will run until October 4. In addition to the film “Ramona” by Spanish director Andrea Bagni, the lineup includes European productions as well as the Lebanese film “Riverbed”.
The festival will also screen movies for children and young people from the most deprived social and economic backgrounds due to the economic crisis Lebanon has been going through since 2019.
The festival features a short film competition, in which 12 films by Lebanese directors will compete. Awards will enable winners to attend an international festival in Europe next year.
The young Lebanese director, Shazah Hashim, who will be taking part in this category said, “It is certainly very important to be aware of what is happening in European cinema and get to know about the films there. As a Lebanese, it means a lot to me to attend the European Film Festival to learn about the movies and to be part of the competition.”
The activities of the festival will move to various regions within Lebanon, including Hermel, Sidon, Tripoli and Zahleh in an effort to promote European cultural production.