By Rinelda Mouton
Twenty four films will feature at this year’s European Union Film Festival, scheduled to take place from 20 October to 19 November at Goethe-Institut Namibia in Windhoek.
The festival aims to reach broader audiences through diverse venues and specialised programming. Entrance is free.
Alexandre Baron, head of partnerships at the European Union to Namibia said the festival is an annual event that has become part of Windhoek’s cultural calendar and every year gives the public something new to look forward to.
“This year, we are changing things up a little. We are bringing European and Namibian cinema closer together, opening the festival to new audiences and putting more focus on the people and talent behind the films,” Baron said.
The films will be screened on Tuesdays and Thursdays. From 18h00 a cocktail event will held and the screenings starts at 19h00.
“Eight EU member states are joining us as the EU council presidency will open the festival,” Baron said.
Tjiuna Daringo, the Chairperson of the Filmmakers’ Association of Namibia said the festival not only celebrates the art of filmmaking, but also serves as a vital platform for cultural exchange between Namibia and Europe.
She said film has a unique ability to transcend boundaries, offering us glimpses into different cultures, experiences, and perspectives.
“We believe this festival will in- spire and empower our local talent, promoting opportunities for collaboration and professional growth within our film industry. We invite everyone from aspiring filmmakers to seasoned professionals to engage with the films, partake in discussions, and celebrate our collective passion for cinema,” Daringo said.
Jo-Neillen Isaaks, writer and director of the film ‘One More Win’ which will be showcased said working on his debut project was a massive learning experience.
“After spending years writing stories, finally getting to bring one of them to life was a pretty big deal for me. The film itself tackles sports betting addiction, something I feel has become so normalised in our society that we sometimes forget how damaging it can actually be,” Isaaks said.
Filmmaker, screenwriter, director and video editor, Laudika “yaNdangii” Hamutenya whose film ‘Emanya’ will be featured at the event said it was developed from a screenplay he wrote during his final year at AFDA, a film school in South Africa.
He said having the opportunity to bring this story to life was important to him, particularly because it explores a reality that exists within our own country.
For Hamutenya being selected for screening is an exciting opportunity to share a distinctly Namibian story with a wider audience.
“The film is set in the world of artisanal gold mining in Namibia’s Erongo Region. Through its characters and their struggles, we explore the difficult choices people make when survival, loyalty and the desire for a better life come into conflict,” Hamutenya said.
From 9 to 13 November, the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) will host a five-day film industry training focused on cinematic sound design and co-production, developed with the Namibia Film Commission and Tallinn University’s Baltic Film, Media and Arts School.
