For its fifteenth year The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) celebrates cinematic excellence and the diversity of Europe in the heart of the most multicultural city in the world. EUFF will bring the best in European film to the Royal Cinema from November 7 to 21, 2019.

The exciting and diverse group of contemporary films representing all 28 countries of the European Union. General Admission to EUFF events is FREE. Availability to the dozen of (often sold-out) screening works on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance $10 reservations are available at euffto.com

The critically acclaimed EUFF is a unique festival and the only one in the world to bring together disparate EU Consulates and local cultural institutes for collaboration. EUFF is focusing on variety and accessibility. Award winning high-profile films, hard-to-find international cinema with special guests, Canadian premiers and a wide selection of themes and genres – EUFF offers access point to contemporary on-screen culture for everyone.

This year’s lineup highlights the talents of many incredible women in film. Female filmmakers share uplifting stories: France’s SOMETHING IS HAPPENING, an authentic road movie of a young widow and an adventurously independent woman; Denmark’s DARLING, a moving drama about a woman on the rollercoaster ride of her life; Hungary’s AURORA BOREALIS, a film of shocking twists and dark family secrets; and Croatia’s LADA KAMENSKI, a story of three actresses competing for the same role.

Strong women also inspiring us through several more feature films, including Italy’s DAFNE, a story of self-aware and bright young woman with Down syndrome; Malta’s THE WEEPING HOUSE OF QALA, an investigation of a long missing family. Her journey can be also lighthearted: Spain’s GET HER…IF YOU CAN follows a struggling stand-up comedian; Slovenia’s MY LAST YEAR AS A LOSER  tells a coming-of-age story of a millennial; and Ireland’s METAL HEART is a comedy of twin sisters who are worlds apart.

Brexit, border fences, weakened democracy. Europe is in political turmoil and filmmakers reflect by looking back in history. 20th century historical dramas like Germany’s BALLOON, Lithuania’s ASHES IN THE SNOW and Austria’s THE TOBACCONIST; and portraits of unknown heroes like Netherlands’ THE RESISTANCE BANKER, Latvia’s THE MOVER and Estonia’s THE LITTLE COMRADE remind us the darker times of war and authoritarian regimes. Poland’s THE MESSENGER tells the incredible true story of a real-life superhero, a Polish spy whose lonely mission was to decide the fate of World War II.

Immigration is a central topic in Europe and beyond. In Luxembourg’s SAWAH a DJ mistaken for a refugee; in Greece’s HOLY BOOM the lives of four strangers change when their postbox is blasted. Bulgaria’s A PICTURE WITH YUKI follows a man and his Japanese wife, who got married while living as immigrants in Canada. Even a king discovers the real world in Belgium’s KING OF THE BELGIANS.

The importance of community is an other underlying theme of this years lineup. Subway traveleres start to interact in Romania’s BESIDE ME, the opening film of the festival features some of the biggest names of Romanian cinema. In Cyprus’ ROSEMARIE mysterious neighbours catch the attention of an uninspired soap opera writer. The protagonists of UK’s ONLY YOU meet by chance on New Year’s Eve. Portugal’s DEAD QUEEN is an ageless love story, literally.

Making their Canadian premiers including Sweden’s A MOON OF MY OWN tells the story of one of the greatest composers of our time; and Czech Republic’s SHORT CUT about an eleven-year-old boy dealing with a loss of his illusions. First time in Toronto Slovakia’s FREEDOM UNDER LOAD, a documentary of the oldest generation of porters. Closing the festival Finland’s ONE LAST DEAL, tale of an obscure painting, an aging art dealer and his family.

For EUFF’s 2019 line up with screening dates, cast details and full synopses please visit: euffto.com

Social Media:

@EUFFTO
#EUFFTO
Facebook.com/EUFFTO/

About EUFF:

WHAT: The European Union Film Festival is a Not-for-Profit organization, it’s the unique cultural collaboration of EU Consulates and Cultural Institutes in Toronto. Celebrating cinematic excellence with national and international award-winning films, the festival takes place in November every year at The Royal Cinema. Founded in 2004 as a salve to Hollywood monotony, this free festival showcases 28 contemporary films drawn from each of the EU’s member countries.

WHEN: The 15th European Union Film Festival runs November 7–21, 2019.

WHERE: All films screening at the  Royal Cinema. 608 College St, Toronto – theroyal.to

HOW: General Admission to EUFF events is FREE. Availability works on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance $10 reservations are available at euffto.com

WHY: The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) strives to reflect the excellence, innovation, and diversity of European cinema in Toronto, the world’s most multicultural city. EUFF is representing a rare opportunity to see these movies on the big screen.

WHO: Participating EU Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.