The 29th edition of the European Film Festival, which is organized by the EU Delegation to Lebanon in partnership with Metropolis Cinema, kicks off on April 30. With award-winning films, a unique ciné-concert and a spotlight on Lebanese talent, the Festival promises, until May 11, a rich cultural celebration in the heart of Beirut at Metropolis Cinema.
The European Film Festival returns to Beirut for its 29th edition, to be held at Metropolis Cinema (Mar Mikhael) from April 30 to May 11, 2025.
The European Film Festival, which is organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, in partnership with the Metropolis Cinema Association and in cooperation with the European Union Member States, will open on Wednesday, April 30, with the Lebanese premiere of the Latvian film Flow by Gints Zilbalodis. Since its world premiere at the Un Certain Regard section at the Festival de Cannes 2024, the film won over 50 Awards, including the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2025 Academy Awards. The opening night is by invitation only, and the film will be released in Lebanese cinemas on May 8.
The Program of the 29th European Film Festival:
- 21 recent feature films from Europe, allowing the audience to discover award-winning films, which were screened at major international film festivals.
- 1 ciné-concert with live music.
- 1 classic feature film, Jamón Jamón, screening in its restored copy in the presence of the actor Jordi Mollà.
- 1 Lebanese classic film, “Abou Salim, Messenger of Love,” screening in its restored version in tribute to Abou Salim to close the festival.
- 12 short films produced by young emerging Lebanese filmmakers and competing to win awards offered by Member States.
This edition marks the return of the European Film Festival at Metropolis Cinema, which reopened in new premises in Mar Mikhael last December, allowing the audience a full festival experience.
The feature films’ selection includes two animated films for the young audience. The Festival will invite children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds to these screenings.
It will present a unique ciné-concert experience: Voyage to the World of Fairies with original music by Duo Catherine Vincent, revisiting four tales through songs, featuring short films by Georges Méliès and Lotte Reiniger.
The festival will award two prizes for the films participating in the Short Film Competition. Winners will be invited to attend a leading international film festival in Europe, in partnership with Goethe-Institut Lebanon and Institut français du Liban.
In the classics section, the restored copy of the Spanish film Jamón Jamón, directed by Bigas Luna, will screen in the presence of the actor Jordi Mollà. The Lebanese audience will have the chance to attend a conversation with the Spanish actor following the screening.
The festival closes on Sunday, May 11, with the Short Film Competition Award Ceremony, followed by the screening of the digitized and restored copy of the Lebanese film Abou Salim, Messenger of Love, directed by Youssef Maalouf, in tribute to Abou Salim, a Lebanese actor, who will be in attendance. The digitization and restoration efforts to make this new film copy available with subtitles was led by Nadi Lekol Nas.
This edition’s poster was designed by Natasha Simonian, following a competition launched online. The artist aimed to capture a moment of Beirut’s everyday poetry, roaming cats, tangled wires and the rich tapestry of old and new buildings.
In its continuous effort to promote and disseminate European culture to the widest possible audience, the festival is scheduled to run in regions across Lebanon throughout May, including in Saida, Tripoli and Jounieh.
Tickets: LBP 400,000 available at the cinema and via AntoineTicketing.com.
Opening night by invitation only.
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