The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Thailand, along with the EU Member States (EUMS) Embassies and Cultural Institutions in Thailand, and the Embassy of Ukraine in Thailand, jointly raised the curtain of the 30th European Union (EU) Film Festival 2024 in Bangkok at House Samyan, Samyan Mitrtown Mall. This year's film festival, held in May, coincides with the month of Europe Day, which celebrates the founding of the European Union on 9 May.
With the theme "Piecing the Differences," the EU Film Festival 2024 aims to highlight how films piece together the differences of cultures and people, creating a unified portrayal that celebrates the harmonious blend of diverse experiences across Europe, echoing the European Union's motto, ‘United in Diversity.’
This film festival welcomes the public to indulge in 17 quality European films selected by the EU Member States Embassies and Cultural Institutions in Thailand, along with the Embassy of Ukraine in Thailand, from 16 – 26 May 2024.
H.E. Mr David Daly, Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand, stated in his opening remarks: “For three decades, the European Union has long acknowledged the power of cinema, utilising it as a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy to foster unity and bridge cultural gaps between Europe and Thailand. This year, we proudly present 17 European films, featuring a diverse range of genres, to the Thai audience. With this film festival held during the month of May to celebrate Europe Day, we hope that these films not only offer outstanding entertainment but also deepen the understanding of European cultures, lifestyles, or societal issues among Thai people.”
Over 180 guests, including members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from the Royal Thai Government, prominent figures in the arts, films, and culture scene, as well as Thai and European business leaders, academia, civil society, and film enthusiasts, attended the opening reception and screening of the film ‘Murina,’ co-produced by Croatia and Slovenia, which premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Caméra d'Or.
In this year's EU Film Festival, the Delegation of the EU to Thailand collaborated with 15 EU Member States Embassies and Cultural Institutions in Thailand including the Embassies of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany and the Goethe Institute, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden.
The participation of the Embassy of Ukraine at the EU Film Festival 2024 underscores the EU's solidarity with Ukraine and its people, reinforcing its commitment to upholding a rules-based international order. Moreover, this solidarity is symbolised by the sunflower, Ukraine’s national flower, in the festival's visuals.
For those interested, tickets are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, with no advance booking. Participants need to come to the cinema 1 hour before each showtime to obtain their tickets. Each person can collect a maximum of 2 tickets.
For more information on the festival programme and screening details, please visit European Union in Thailand on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EUinThailand).
