This year’s edition of the much-awaited Cine Europa film festival kicked off at SM Cinema’s amazing Drive-In at the Mall of Asia. The hosts and guests offered toasts and greetings onscreen. Talk about virtual screenings.
This provided film enthusiasts with a fun, new and safe way to enjoy this year’s critically acclaimed films amid the pandemic.
A joint project of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, the EU Member States and cultural institutions, and the Embassy of Switzerland, together with SM Cinema, Cine Europa was viewed virtually during the festival run.
EU Delegation First Counselor Rafael de Bustamante and German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel, other members of the diplomatic corps and media gathered at the SM Cinema Drive-In to mark the opening of the festival. The ambassadors of the EU Member States sent their virtual greetings and toasts as well.
Guests were treated to a special screening of the superb German film Sweethearts, a comic thriller directed by renowned German actress Karoline Herfurth.
Cine Europa’s amazing lineup of films from 20 countries showed us the range of Europe’s filmmaking excellence, and its diverse and vibrant culture and creative industries.
Now in its 23rd year, Cine Europa is definitely the longest-running flagship film festival in the country. Cine Europa brings 19 films from 20 European countries, which can be accessed for free via www.cineeuropaph.com. Check this out, dahlings. You can register online, select the films to watch, and receive links on the day of the film’s scheduled screening. Cine Europa also features films from Festival Scope, the EU’s comprehensive library of quality films, offering viewers an opportunity to watch films from European countries not represented in the Philippines.
This event is presented by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, the EU Member States and cultural institutions Goethe Institut, Instituto Cervantes Manila, the Philippine-Italian Association, Embassy of Switzerland, Film Development Council of the Philippines and SM Cinema, naturellement.