Remarks by EU Ambassador, H.E. Mette Sunnergren at the press briefing for the 2025 edition of the European Film Festival

Kea lea lumelisa bo-'M'e le bo-Ntate hoseng hona,

Members of the press, distinguished guests and friends of the European Union in Lesotho and cinema,

Thank you for joining us this morning at the media briefing for the second edition of the Binational European Film Festival (EUFF 2025) taking place from 15 October to 10 November 2025 in Lesotho. Following the successful launch of the binational Film Festival in 2024, we are delighted to build on that momentum and bring an even richer programme to audiences across both Kingdoms.

The European Union, together with its Member States, has long recognised that cultural cooperation is a cornerstone of partnership. In bringing European and African cinema together, we affirm a simple but profound truth: that through understanding one another's stories, we come closer to understanding ourselves.

The festival serves as a 'Window to Europe and the world', highlighting cinema's unique ability to transcend boundaries and foster shared experiences. This collaborative effort aims to inspire dialogue, cross-cultural understanding and creativity, and strengthen ties between Europe and Lesotho.

Thus, the European Union Delegations to the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Eswatini, in partnership with the Alliance Françaises de Maseru and Mbabane, are proudly presenting the second edition of the binational EU Film Festival 2025.

The Festival as you know is funded by the European Union, with complementary financial contributions of several EU Member States and their cultural institutes, namely, by Austria, Cyprus, Germany, France, Italy, Poland and Spain.

For the first time, also the Embassy of Switzerland joined the Festival in Lesotho, further to the great success of last year edition. Lesotho's festival will present 18 films from across Europe and Africa, complemented by a selection of short films from Europe and Eswatini.. These films offer rich and diverse perspectives that explore themes such as identity, resilience, heritage, and hope. It will be a combination of comedies, dramas, documentaries and animation movies.

This year's festival spans stories from the snowy reaches of Sweden to the vibrant heart of Burkina Faso, embracing the voices of Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland.

To celebrate Lesotho productions, the festival will open with the movie Ancestral Visions of the Future, a visually poetic and deeply personal film by Lesotho filmmaker Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese. This cinematic meditation reflects on Basotho culture, memory, and the spiritual journey of belonging. The movie was world-premiered this year at the Berlinale - the Berlin International Film Festival, one of the major industry events globally - held annually in Germany.

When we held the EUFF in 2023, it was Mosese's Oscar-winning film This Is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection that opened our event, setting a high artistic standard that continues to inspire this year's selection.

Together with the Alliance Française de Maseru, we are proud to once again collaborate with the last year's partners, namely the National University of Lesotho, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, the local bar Café What? In Maseru, and the local organisation The Hub based in Morija, places where community and culture converge.

Last year, many of you in this very room asked us to go beyond the capital, and to expand further. We have listened to your call! This year, the EUFF will expand its reach across all ten districts of Lesotho, ensuring that the magic of cinema flows beyond urban centres into the quiet, resilient corners of rural life.

As we did last year, the EU Film Festival is strongly committed to a young audience.

Not only we are partnering with 16 local schools from in an around Maseru, to screen animation movies for young pupils, but we also have a dedicated segment of the Festival taking place at the National University in Roma, with movies targeted for university students. Besides, in Morija, the Hub will also have special screenings for the young ones.

Our effort does not stop here. The commitment to provide trainings and workshop opportunities for emerging filmmakers and cinema students - for instance from Limkokwing University will continue to be a cornerstone also of the 2025 edition, fostering meaningful cultural exchange and inspiring young talent across Lesotho and Eswatini.

Our festival is not just a celebration of cinema; it is a testament to cultural cooperation, and the power of storytelling to bridge divides. The festival aims to illuminate the shared human experiences that transcend geographical and cultural borders, fostering a spirit of solidarity and cultural curiosity.

The Binational European Film Festival demonstrates the European Union's commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and partnership. It is shaped by a blend of local cultural organisations, academic institutions, and creative practitioners. This collaborative approach guarantees that the festival remains culturally relevant and responsive to the interests and perspectives of the Basotho people and their neighbours.

Today's briefing aims to provide you with insight into the festival's highlights and its broader significance.

Without further ado, I now pass the floor to Ms Elisabeth Douillet, who will give you information on the screening dates, venues and more insights of the movie selection.

We will welcome your questions and look forward to engaging in a constructive dialogue about the role of culture in strengthening ties between Europe, Lesotho, and Eswatini.

Khotso. Pula. Nala.