ISLAMABAD: The Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan has presented the fourth edition of the European Film Festival Pakistan, curated by Olomopolo Media, at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad. The two-day festival was enthusiastically attended by thousands of film aficionados.
The opening ceremony began with a welcome address by Deputy Head of Mission of the EU Philipp Oliver Gross, who formally inaugurated the festival, saying, “In this age of digital streaming, watching a film together on the big screen may seem old-fashioned, but it is in this shared experience that cinema becomes powerful.”
He said: “This festival serves as a window to Europe and to the world. It highlights cinema’s unique ability to transcend boundaries and foster shared experiences. This collaborative effort aims to inspire dialogue, cross-cultural understanding and creativity.”
Founder of Olomopolo Media Kanwal Khoosat took the opportunity to acknowledge the numerous partners and collaborators who made the festival possible, including media houses, community, outreach and engagement partners, and academic institutions.
Alongside screenings of award-winning European features, documentaries, and shorts, the festival had, this year, evolved to include various interactive activities and installations to engage the diverse audience.
A grand Wall of Fame featured a century of European cinema told through 24 remarkable voices.
The festival opened with a screening of Behind the Curtain of High Mountains, a documentary that chronicles the life and legacy of Dina Šterbová, a trailblazing Czech climber and the first woman to conquer the Himalayan Cho Oyu.
This was followed by Katalin Moldovai’s drama,Without Air, in which high-school literature teacher Ana Bauch innocently assigns Agnieszka Holland’s 1995Total Eclipseto her students so they can better understand Rimbaud’s poetry.
A complaint by a conservative father throws her life into chaos as she is accused of misconduct.
Hungarian Ambassador Zoltan Varga said: “Without Airis a film from 2023, by a young Hungarian filmmaker. It is based on true events, but the real story is universal, not just Eastern European.
The story is about how the most banal things can spiral out of control and it is a story of how people can stand up for their truth and their dignity.”
The first day ended with a participatory social (Salsa-led) dance providing a space for visitors, filmmakers and students to interact informally and build connections.
The second day began with a screening of children’s movie,Itty Bitty Princess, from Finland.
Deputy Head of Mission Finland Elina Ollila introduced the film, saying, “Pakistani people know about our education system, they know we have a very clean environment and that we enjoy outdoor living and we are very fond of our cultural heritage.”
Students from community schools including Pehli Kiran, Areezah School, Nova Heights Montessori School System, IMSG Lakhwal Bani Gala, Marium School Foundation and Saya School, attended the screening, giving young viewers the chance to experience international cinema.
The festival aired multiple short films,HABA, a documentary,White Ribbons, an experimental film,A Sea of Trash, a documentary raising environmental and social awareness andDiamond & Narcissus, another experimental short film.
The festival also featured a Filmmakers’ Mixer, designed to create meaningful interaction between emerging talent, established professionals, students, and industry representatives.
Young visitors engaged with Auteur Ego, an interactive activity where participants scanned QR codes leading to a digital wheel of names featuring European filmmakers. When the wheel stopped, the participant received printed ticket with that filmmaker’s name and a second QR code that links to the filmmaker’s IMDb profile.
A Human Slot Game, a 360° Camera, a Photo Booth and a Reading Nook, created spaces to pause, imagine, and play for all age groups.
The festival ended with Chiaroscuro, an intimate closing event led by actor Ali Junejo, featuring a dramatic reading designed to highlight performance, voice, and emotional expression in storytelling.
Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2025
