The European Film Festival Returns to the UAE with screenings in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah

The European Union Delegation to the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah Art under the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, and with the support of EU Member States' Embassies and Cultural Institutes in the UAE, is organising the European Film Festival in the UAE from 18 to 24 May 2026 in Abu Dhabi and from 1 to 5 June 2026 in Ras Al Khaimah.

Returning for its third edition, the festival continues to celebrate the richness and diversity of European cinema while expanding its reach across the UAE. Audiences can expect a vibrant programme of award-winning films, compelling stories, documentaries, family-friendly productions, coinciding with the Year of the Family, as well as emerging voices from across Europe and the UAE.

This year's festival features a curated selection of 16 European films Austria (The Village Next to Paradise), Czechia (Invincibles), France (A Real Job), Germany (Plastic Fantastic), Greece (Stelios), Ireland (Lakelands), Italy (Gloria!), Lithuania (Runner), Luxembourg (Kensuke's Kingdom), Malta (The Theft of the Caravaggio), the Netherlands (Superpowers for Your Mind), Poland (The Queen and the Smokehouse), Romania (The Secret of Pin-Up Island), Slovenia (Elvis Starling), Spain (Close Your Eyes), and Ukraine (The Taste of Freedom).

The festival will also showcase a special selection of Emirati short films, including Guardians of the Mountains, Namoos, and Unsaid, highlighting emerging local storytelling and creative talent from the UAE.

Screenings in Abu Dhabi will take place at the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi, while screenings in Ras Al Khaimah will be hosted at the RAK Chamber Theater. The festival aims to foster cultural exchange between Europe and the UAE through the universal language of cinema and provide audiences with the opportunity to discover new perspectives and stories from across cultures.

In addition to the screenings, the festival will host a free three-day professional training workshop titled "Your Film, The World's Market: A Complete Guide to International Film Sales" from 19 to 21 May at the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi. Led by European film expert Nicolas Rebeschini, the workshop is designed for UAE filmmakers, producers, film students and industry professionals, offering practical insights into international film markets, sales strategies, festivals and global distribution. The workshop is presented in partnership with Cineuropa.

Tickets are now available online. For the full festival programme, tickets and further information, please visit www.euff.ae.