PESHAWAR: The 2024 edition of the European Union Films Festival (EUFF) in Pakistan was held here on Friday, where over 20 films were showcased.

Peshawarites enjoyed the EU’s cinematic journey and its global impact.

The films have been produced by the member states of the bloc covering diverse genres, including comedy, thrillers, documentaries and fiction.

The event was arranged at the main hall of Iqra National University (INU), where movies like Omelette, Bullmastiff, Geo-Engineering and Soloists were screened.

Students, faculty members and film buffs turned up in large numbers and appreciated the initiative.

Students, film buffs turn up in large numbers

Prof Taimur Ali, INU Vice-Chancellor, chaired the event.

The films explored wide-ranging themes such as family, childhood, romance, friendship, climate change, history, war, economic hardship, human rights, disability, and more. Additionally, the festival featured several equally exciting Pakistani short films by emerging filmmakers and studios.

Sharing her sentiments about the event, Sarwat Gilani, a film, television actress, said: “I believe film festivals such as the EUFF are very important for any country, especially its youth, to put their culture and traditions into a visual narrative and tell that country’s story to the rest of the world. What I particularly love about European cinema is that it shows you the stark reality of the world as it is, unlike Hollywood which is shiny and squeaky.”

Speaking to the media at the event, the participants said the EU actively supported filmmaking not only as an art but also as a means to bring people together to address important social topics.

“We believe that good cinema plays an important social and political role – to contribute to a pluralistic society based on respect for others, as well as on equality and democratic decision-making. That’s why exchanges and discussions occupy a prominent place in the festival,” remarked another participant.

Rising star Ali Junejo said: “I believe film festivals such as the EUFF are very important for any country, especially its youth, to put their culture and traditions into a visual narrative and tell that country’s story to the rest of the world.”

The EUFF was followed by a lively panel discussion in which the panelists, including Tazeen Houssain, Salim Sadiq and Tazeeen Bari, participated, while Kawanal Khoosat moderated the session.

On the occasion, noted research scholar Saidul Amin Kheshgi defended successfully his MPhil thesis titled ‘The post-war impact in the novels of Naseer Ahmad Ahmadi’.

Director Pashto Academy Farkhana Liaquat, Prof Nasrullah Jan and Prof Zafarullah Bakhshali supervised the thesis.

The thesis would contribute a lot to Pashto fiction research studies, the speakers said.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2024