- By Swati Singh
- Sat, 01 Nov 2025 04:27 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) kicked off its 30th edition with the New Delhi chapter on October 31, opening with the Dutch film Memory Lane (De Terugreis). The film’s writer, Marijn de Wit, introduced the screening to an enthusiastic audience, marking the beginning of a milestone edition of EUFF celebrating three decades of cinematic, cultural, and artistic exchange between Europe and India.
Running from October 31 to November 9, the festival will showcase 28 acclaimed European films in 29 languages, exploring universal themes of love, hope, identity, resilience and familial bonds. The festival offers Delhi audiences a window to Europe’s rich storytelling and diverse cinema. Memory Lane, the Netherlands’ official submission for the 2024 Academy Awards, follows a bitter man who reluctantly drives to Spain with his wife, who has dementia, to visit a dying friend.
The European Union Film Festival was officially declared open by Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India, alongside Marijn de Wit, the writer of the opening film, Sandeep Kumar, director of Austrian movie Happy, as well as EU Member states representatives.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India said, “The 30th edition of the European Union Film Festival is not just a milestone, it is a celebration of three decades of friendship, creativity, and cultural exchange between Europe and India. Over the years, EUFF has become a beautiful bridge between our regions, bringing stories that speak of hope, resilience, and shared humanity. This year’s curation of 28 films from across Europe including 13 by exceptional women filmmakers showcases the diversity, artistic depth, and emotional power that define European cinema. Cinema remains one of the most powerful forms of connection, a conversation without the need for translation, and EUFF continues to embody that spirit by fostering collaboration and understanding between European and Indian storytellers.”
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Introducing the opening film to Indian audiences, Marijn de Wit, writer of Memory Lane, said, “We are thrilled to have our film open the 30th European Union Film Festival. As a writer, you always hope that your story will travel beyond borders and connect with people from different cultures. Memory Lane explores themes that are deeply universal — emotions that resonate no matter where you come from. I’m grateful to EUFF for giving us this wonderful platform and for bringing stories like ours to such a wonderful and curious audience.”
The 30th edition of EUFF will also travel to Bengaluru and Hyderabad, extending its cinematic journey across India. All films will be screened with English subtitles, and entry is free on a first-come, first-served basis. Some titles carry an 18+ rating; viewers are advised to check age classifications prior to attending.
The entire line-up includes: Austria / Happy; Belgium / Julie Keeps Quiet; Bulgaria / The Trap; Croatia / Pelican; Czech Republic / The Waves; Cyprus / Smaragda – I Got Thick Skin and I Can't Jump; Denmark / Matters of the Heart; Estonia / Lioness; Finland / The Missile; France / Holy Cow; Germany / Dying; Greece / Behind the Haystacks; Hungary / Three Thousand Numbered Pieces; Ireland / That They May Face the Rising Sun; Italy / Familia; Latvia / Soviet Milk; Lithuania / Tasty; Luxembourg / Breathing Underwater; Malta / Castillo; Netherlands / Memory Lane; Poland / It’s Not My Film; Portugal / Bad Living; Romania / Three Kilometres to the End of the World; Slovakia / The Hungarian Dressmaker; Slovenia / Family Therapy; Spain / Ei 47; Sweden / The Swedish Torpedo; Ukraine / Film Name to be Announced.
About the European Union (EU): The EU, which consists of 27 countries, has the world's largest economy and its third largest population, after China and India. Though richly diverse, the countries that make up the EU (its 'Member States') are all committed to the same basic values: peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. They have set up common institutions so that decisions on matters of joint interest can be made democratically at the European level. By creating a frontier-free single market and a single currency (the euro) which has been adopted by 20 Member States, the EU has given a significant boost to trade and employment. It is also at the forefront of policies on sustainability.
EU-India relations: For over 60 years, the European Union and India have collaborated to reduce poverty, prevent disasters, protect human rights, expand trade, and promote joint research in areas such as energy, health, agriculture, and many other fields of mutual interest.