The 31st European Union Film Festival (EUFF) opened in Shillong on November 13, bringing 21 films from European countries to audiences across Meghalaya and providing a platform for cultural exchange between Europe and Northeast India.
Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the European Union to India, inaugurated the festival in the presence of Irène Mingasson, Head of Unit, Foreign Policy Instruments; Dr Vijay Kumar D, Commissioner and Secretary, Government of Meghalaya; and Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director of Asian Confluence Centre. Patricia Mukhim, Padma Shri awardee and Editor of The Shillong Times, was also among the prominent participants.
The opening screening featured Dutch comedy-drama Jippie No More!, directed by Margien Rogaar. Earlier, Paquet, Vijay Kumar, Mukhim and Dutta participated in a curated conversation titled “Beyond Borders: Exploring Synergies Between Europe and Northeast India”.
Dr Vijay Kumar said, “Hosting the European Union Film Festival in Shillong provides an important opportunity for our people, particularly students and young audiences, to engage with different cultures and perspectives through cinema.”
The Shillong chapter, which began on November 12, will continue until November 18 across four venues: Asian Confluence Centre (The Habitat), Lady Keane College, St Edmund’s College and KL Bajoria College.
Organised by the Delegation of the European Union to India with EU member states, the festival will move to New Delhi from November 24 to December 4, followed by Pune in December.
