The Delegation of the European Union to Botswana officially launched the 2025 European Film Festival on Monday during a press conference held in Gaborone.
Delivering the keynote address, EU Ambassador to Botswana and SADC Petra Pereyra outlined the festival’s vision and its diverse lineup, highlighting its role in promoting cultural dialogue and shared human experiences.
“In these times, when the world can often feel divided, cinema reminds us of our commonalities and shared dreams that unite us all,” said Pereyra. She encouraged the public to explore the curated selection of films that celebrate storytelling from across Europe and beyond.
The festival will run from June 18 to 21, 2025, at New Capitol Cinemas, Riverwalk, Gaborone with free admission to all screenings. On Saturday family audiences can look forward to 'Flow', a Latvian-French-Belgian animated film. The film follows a solitary cat whose journey through a flooded world leads to unlikely friendships and emotional growth.
Also screening on the day is 'Once Upon a Time in a Forest', a Finnish documentary about youth-driven environmental activism which was awarded the best documentary at the 2025 Nordisk Film Festival.
The festival will conclude with the emotionally charged 'Intercepted', a Ukrainian film based on intercepted real-life calls between Russian soldiers and their families during the war. The film has received multiple European awards and sparked global discussions on human rights and the impacts of conflict.
Special screenings for students will include 'Calamity' on Thursday morning, an animated tale about the legendary Calamity Jane and 'Red Soil' on Friday morning, a French drama about a nurse uncovering environmental hazards at her father's workplace.
A highlight of the festival includes the panel discussion in collaboration with LEGABIBO, focusing on identity, workplace relationships, and community solidarity. Another key event is the Botswana Short Films Session on June 21, which will include a panel of local filmmakers sharing their creative insights and challenges in Botswana’s growing film industry.
Pereyra emphasised that the festival is not only about entertainment but about connection, learning, and dialogue. “We hope that through this festival, you will discover new stories, appreciate different cultures, and perhaps even find a piece of your own story reflected in the films you watch,” she said.
