ISLAMABAD: The Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan and Olomopolo Media hosted the 5th edition of the European Film Festival Pakistan (EUFF) at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

The EUFF which began as a single screening had morphed into a two-day, multi-city celebration showcasing European award winners and Pakistani filmmakers to a diverse audience of youth, students and a festival ground built for families, students and cinephiles.

Ambassador of the European Union Raimundas Karoblis inaugurated the EUFF, saying, “I am delighted to be here with you. This festival is now in its fifth year and that is something worth celebrating. Our journey has already taken us across Pakistan, from Quetta to Gujrat, from Lahore to Gilgit, from Karachi to Faisalabad, from Peshawar to Multan and this year we continue from Islamabad to Sialkot and Hyderabad. But the journey is more than geographical; it is a journey of stories, ideas and imagination.”

He said at a time when the world faces profound challenges from climate change, economic uncertainty, war and rapid digital transformation, film and art help us understand what is at stake.

“They raise awareness, spark conversation and inspire action. These films do not offer clear answers instead they invite us to ask questions and that is the power of art – to challenge us, make us think and help us see the world and each other differently,” he added.

Director Olomopolo Kanwal Khoosat said: “This fifth year marks an important milestone for us. By the end of this edition, EUFF will have travelled to 11 cities across Pakistan, carrying stories told in many European languages, alongside films in five regional languages of Pakistan. It is a journey that continues to widen the space for cultural exchange, creative dialogue and connection across languages and geographies.”

“We are delighted to once again partner with the European Union. Thank you for your trust in us to bring this festival to life, and for your continued commitment to making cinema accessible to audiences across Pakistan,” she added.

The Islamabad edition featured 16 European short films, a European feature film, and 11 Pakistani short films, screened across the PNCA auditorium, a dedicated workshop room and various installations and activities across the venue.

The European short films included ‘An Irish Goodbye’ and ‘Turnaround ‘from Ireland, ‘Neighboring Graves’, ‘How Fernando Pessoa Saved Portugal’ and ‘Young Lady’ from Portugal, ‘The Throne’ from Spain, ‘Luce and the Rock’ and ‘What’s Inside That Crate?’ from Belgium, ‘MoMo and LuLu’ and ‘Blue Bird’ from Poland, ‘Out of Sync’ and ‘Roundabout’ from Austria, ‘Trashpalace’ from the Netherlands, ‘Animals in War’ from Ukraine and ‘What’s the Purpose of Bread’ from Bulgaria.

The Pakistani short films included in the line-up were ‘Karmash’, ‘The Send Off’ (Rukhsati), ‘Lehrein’, ‘Shehr-e-Tabassum’, ‘Chalti Tasveerain’, ‘Manduva’, ‘Swipe’ and ‘Seabirds’.

The Cultural Heritage series included ‘Khusal Goes to the Kalasha Valleys’ in English and Pashto, ‘Journey to the Centre of Karez’ in English and Balochi, and ‘The Magic of Making Glaciers in Gilgit-Baltistan’ in English and Burushaski.

There was also a particular emphasis on children’s programming with a children’s hour dedicated to interactive storytelling by ‘Suno Kahani Meri Zubani’ (SKMZ) and origami art sessions for young audiences. Various schools brought young students to attend the EUFF including Nova Heights Montessori, Little Star Grammar, Marium School Foundation, Speed Education School, Islamabad Model School for Girls, Pehli Kiran, Islamabad Model College for Boys, Bardasht School and Nisbat.

‘Living Large’, a French/Czech feature film drew a large audience. The award-winning animated comedy covered coming of age themes from appearance to bullying. Various interactive displays made the EUFF enjoyable for all age groups as audiences explored the EUFF-Pakistan Express, a scenic, photo-ready train structure hosting film screenings, storytelling corners and a photo booth, played the Human Slot Game, a life-sized “slot machine” where volunteers revealed filmmaker facts, with a chance to win a festival pin and participated in the Doodles Mural: Life in Technicolours, a giant collaborative colouring mural for younger visitors.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2026