Taste of European films in Dubai ... and it’s free

For the third year in a row, the European Film Screenings (EFS) will open today (October 19-27) in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the European Delegation to the UAE and Novo Cinemas. One of the key independent cultural events in the UAE, the EFS/03 is bringing Europe’s finest film selections to the UAE this year with carefully curated European films. In addition, and for the first time, EFS 03 will dedicate an entire Arab-European features programme. 
We spoke to Alessandra Priante who is the founder and artistic director of the event.
 Can you tell us more about the European Film Screenings?
 The European Film Screenings is a moment of cinema and feelings. A window on the cinematographic excellence of some of the best film industries in the world, opened in a country that has a true passion for culture and for cultural diversity. The UAE is a land of understanding and compassion, of tolerance, curiosity and pluralism all entangled in a common strive for excellence and true commitment for the well-being of the community and society in general.  One great achievement is in fact the support for the films selection coming from the European Film Academy and Eurimages, two of the main institutions devoted to cinema in the European Union.  
What is the purpose of having a movie event in the UAE. Do you think UAE residents are passionate about world cinema?
Bringing European Cinema to the UAE is an immense pleasure as it involves working with some of the best films, people and institutions in the world and it can only happen in the UAE, a country of true tolerance and mutual understanding between cultures. People have shown an incredible response to these screenings, with over 4,000 making a full house at almost every screening in these past two editions.  We are also very proud of the six Arabic feature films and we really hope a lot of people will go and see them again. We are confident that there is a true passion and “hunger” for a different type of cinema, in fact we have learned of the existence of the GCC film festival happening just before we open.
 
For more details
The European Film Screenings (EFS) from October 19 - 27, in select Novo  Cinemas locations in Abu Dhabi (WTC Mall) and Dubai (Ibn Battuta  Mall and Dubai Festival City Mall).
 
Select few movies that will be screened at EFS -
Goodnight Mommy | Austria |
 
The Snake Brothers | Czech Republic|
 
Men & Chicken | Denmark |
 
Ricky Rapper and the Nighthawk| Finland |
 
Comme Un Avion| France |
 
Hördur - Zwischen den Welten| Germany |
 
The Lobster | Ireland |
 
Mia Madre| Italy|
 
Modris| Latvia, Germany, Greece|
 
Voices From Chernobyl| Luxembourg, Austria, Ukraine |
 
Meester Kikker| Netherlands |
 
Paddington| UK |
 
Let Them Come| Algeria |
 
Before the Summer Crowds | Egypt |
 
Abdullah| UAE |
 
Very Big Shot | Lebanon, Qatar|
 
The Curve| Jordan, Egypt, France, UAE|
 
Al Medina| Jordan, Denmark |