Discover the 12th European Film Festival in South Africa: a celebration of love and identity
The North has been called “the best hiking movie to date”.
Image: Supplied
The 12th European Film Festival in South Africa (EUFFSA) is set to captivate audiences in Cape Town and Johannesburg from 9 to 19 October 2025 with a rich tapestry of stories reflecting on love, identity, family, and the concept of belonging. This year's festival will present 10 contemporary European films that highlight the multifaceted realities of Europe, inviting South African audiences on a cinematic journey that transcends borders.
Screenings will take place at landmark venues such as The Labia in Cape Town and The Bioscope and Nu Metro Hyde Park in Johannesburg. Additionally, film enthusiasts across Southern Africa can access a curated selection of films through an online platform at www.eurofilmfest.co.za.
A glimpse into the films
Among the remarkable films featured is Le Mohican from France, which follows the story of an unlikely hero who, with the backing of his Corsican community, stands firm against the mafia and avaricious property developers threatening his ancestral land. This tale of resistance transforms him into a legendary figure.
The Netherlands presents The North, acclaimed as “the best hiking movie to date.” Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, it captures the struggles of individuals striving to reconnect with nature and forge friendships amid the rigours of the great outdoors.
Miroirs #.3, a haunting, character-driven exploration of loss, memory, and unexpected recovery.
Image: Supplied
Miroirs #.3, a haunting, character-driven exploration of loss, memory, and unexpected recovery.
Image: Supplied
From Spain, Sirat unfolds the poignant journey of a father searching for his daughter across the remote landscapes of southern Morocco, with a soundtrack that captures the essence of “life and death.” This film is notably produced by the renowned Almodóvar brothers, Pedro and Agustín.
Unicorns, a touching narrative from the United Kingdom, features rising star Ben Hardy as a mechanic and single father who finds love with a South Asian drag queen. The film resonates with themes of transformation and crossing boundaries—emotional, spiritual, and physical.
The film Great Yarmouth: Provisional Figures deals with travelling of a different kind.
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Portugal’s Great Yarmouth: Provisional Figures offers a gripping exploration of modern servitude through the lens of economic migrants driven by dreams of a better life.
In Real Faces, we meet Julia, an ambitious casting agent who relocates to Brussels following a breakup. Her struggle to redefine her life leads her to a profound friendship with reclusive microbiologist Eliott, inspiring her to cast off the constraints of societal expectations.
Italy's Fuori spotlights the controversial feminist writer Goliarda Sapienza, drawing viewers into the unexpected bonds formed during her imprisonment in the summer of the 1980s.
The journey continues with Denmark’s A Perfectly Normal Family, where Emma copes with her father's decision to transition into Agnetha, and the emotional navigation that ensues between daughter and father
Join the celebration
Whether you're a film aficionado or a casual viewer, the EUFFSA promises to deliver an unforgettable experience, coinciding with various country-specific events and celebrations. The festival is proudly presented by the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival and is sponsored by the Delegation of the European Union and multiple embassies and cultural institutes across Europe.
Stay updated on this exciting festival through their website and social media platforms: www.eurofilmfest.co.za, Facebook, and Instagram EUFFSA, and YouTube @europeanfilmfestival.
In a dramatic turn, Under the Volcano from Poland illustrates a Ukrainian family’s summer vacation in Tenerife that spirals into chaos upon learning of their homeland's invasion.
Finally, German filmmaker Christian Petzold’s Miroirs #.3 offers a haunting exploration of loss and recovery as an accident survivor finds solace with a good Samaritan family amid dramatic circumstances.