VietNamNet Bridge - The European Film Festival 2015 (EFF2015) will commence in three major cities of Vietnam – Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City on 15 May, 16 May and 17 May 2015 respectively.

This annual cultural event is jointly organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, the Embassies of EU Member States and the European Cultural Institutes.

The 16th edition of the festival is also a highlight among several activities held by the Delegation of the European Union in Vietnam throughout 2015 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the EU-Vietnam diplomatic ties.

The two-week long EFF2015 showcases Europe’s fascinating diversity and rich cinema tradition, portrayed in 13 films from 13 different EU Member States. Through various genres ranging from children films, drama, romance, thriller, comedy to documentary, the festival expects to offer cinema lovers from all walks of life an enjoyable experience regardless their tastes.

This is also a collection of dreams, passion, fear and frustration, fun and joy, mistakes and recognition – for everyone. Films screened are recent and have encountered success in their country of origin. Some of the films have won highly acclaimed international awards and been selected in international film festivals.

“Cinema has successfully shared diverse cultures, people, histories and perspectives to audiences from across the globe for over a century. As the birthplace of cinematography and home to a number of prestigious international film festivals, Europe is renowned for its cinema heritage. This year again we are proud to introduce this firework of European cultural diversity and creativity to Vietnamese audiences”, said Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, Ambassador – Dr. Franz Jessen.

Held for the first time in 2000, the European Film Festival has become a much-anticipated annual cultural event Vietnam. It has established itself as a credible avenue to bring new and captivating aspects of European culture to the attraction of Vietnamese people, by showcasing films that would otherwise not be shown in Vietnamese commercial cinemas.

“By maintaining the presentation of European silver screen world in Vietnam, the European Union hopes to break down language and cultural barriers aiming to bring the two peoples closer. The European Union is ambitious about an even more solid partnership and brighter future with Vietnam, and we access that the cultural bridge is an essential key to that”, added Ambassador Jessen.

This cinematic event is part of a broader series of “Europe Days 2015” events clustered around Europe Day (9 May), a cycle which since its inception in 2004 has gained a high profile in the cultural life of Vietnamese people.

The European Film Festival 2015 will take place at:

Hanoi: National Cinema Centre, 87 Lang Ha Str.

Danang: Le Do Cinema, 46 Tran Phu Str.

HCMC: Cinebox 212, 212 Ly Chinh Thang Str., Ward 9, District 3

In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city all films will be screened in two sessions. In Danang, each film will be screened once. All films will be screened with Vietnamese subtitles.

Free of charge tickets can be collected from 12 May 2015 for screenings at the following locations:

Hanoi:

Goethe Institut, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc, tel: (04) 37 34 22 51

British Council, 20 Thụy Khuê, tel: (04) 3 8 436 780

National Cinema Centre, 87 Lang Ha, tel : (04) 3 514 2856

HCMC:

Goethe Institut: 335/4 Dien Bien Phu, District 1, tel: (08) 3 9 12 52 50

British Council: 25 Le Duan, D.1, tel: (08) 3 8 23 28 62

Cinebox: 212 Ly Chinh Thang, D.3, tel: 08 3935 0610

Da Nang:

Le Do Cinema, 46 Tran Phu, tel: (0511) 3 82 25 74

Cinema & Film Distribution Centre, 68 Tran Phu, tel: (0511) 3 82 32 84

Full information on the film festival can be found at: http://25yearseuvietnam.vn/film

T. Van