THE Head of European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, Phillipe Van Damme, on Tuesday said the union was committed to promoting cultural diversity and entertainment. Speaking during the official opening of the second edition of the European Union Film Festival, Van Damme said this year’s festival celebrated the plurality and diversity of expression.
“We are this year more than excited to bring the festival back in Harare, with this year’s edition celebrating the plurality and versatility of values. The selection mirrors the European cinema and its artistic way,” he said.
“This year we celebrate the European Year of Cultural Heritage, which binds us together in all our diversity through our common history and values and the richness of our cultural traditions.”
Van Damme said their 11 submissions at the festival would help celebrate and cherish the different traditions and values expressed through these movies.
The festival kicked off with an award winning Italian comedy Like Crazy, which tells the story of two mentally institutionalised women who developed friendship and helped each other to conquer their fears.
Other movies to be screened at the five day event include the award winning feature drama by Zambian-Welsh director Rungano Nyoni, I Am Not a Witch, Leaving Africa and I Am Not Your Negro.
Meanwhile, the EU Film Festival carried out a photo competition dubbed Faces in Urban Space which saw Chinula Mandla from Bulawayo walk away with a professional camera after beating 150 contestants.
