26 movies for 10th European Film Festival

The European Commission Representation in Malta is once again organising the European Film Festival, whose 10th edition will be launched on April 12 and run until May 8, featuring 26 movies.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the EC Representation is offering audiences not only films from the EU member states, but also from outside the EU.

Pointing out that 2008 is dedicated to the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, Joanna Drake, the head of the EC Representation in Malta, said it was pleased to contribute to the joint initiative of the EU, the member states and European civil society and to link the annual event on its calendar to the celebration of diversity, not only within Europe but also across the five continents from where the films are being sourced.

The 10th edition is featuring a variety of movies, including Maltese, which is opening the programme, as well as one each from Australia, China, Egypt and the US.

The films are being presented at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, the national co-ordinating body for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, with two at the Citadel Theatre, Gozo, for Gozitan audiences.

The festival opens with the Maltese film Heroes in the Sky by Engelbert Grech, the screening of which is by invitation only. It ends with a film from Slovenia, which currently holds the EU presidency.

The Representation will again present an evening of recently produced Maltese short films, followed by a forum discussion with the participation of foreign directors from Austria, Egypt and France, whose movies are being presented during the festival, Dr Drake said, thanking the collaboration of the embassies.

The festival also includes a film for schoolchildren - Life is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni. Presented in collaboration with KRS Film Distributors Ltd, the screening will be held on two consecutive mornings and followed by animated workshops, conducted by animators of St James Cavalier. The idea is to provide the children with an opportunity to be introduced to the appreciation of the art and science of cinematography at an early age.

As in previous editions, the 10th European Film Festival is also raising funds for a good cause, with this year's proceeds going to the Daniel Delicata Memorial Association, whose mission is the purchase, donation and implementation of items and services of entertainment, activity and comfort for sick children.

Booking is open and audiences are encouraged to offer a donation of €3, which is destined for the association, at each show.

A souvenir booklet of the festival is also available from the EC Representation in Malta at Ta' Xbiex.