European cinema sparks dialogue on resilience, identity and climate across Pakistan

KARACHI: The 4th European Film Festival (EUFF) 2025 successfully concluded its Karachi chapter last weekend at the Karachi Film School, celebrating international cinema and cultural dialogue. 

Hosted by the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan and curated by Olomopolo Media, the two-day event showcased 19 feature films and 10 short films from EU member states, emphasizing cinema’s unique power to foster human connection and resilience.

The festival now moves to Lahore after having offered audiences in Karachi and Islamabad a diverse program of comedies, dramas, and documentaries exploring universal themes, including identity, climate change, and human resilience. 

Among the films screened were "Behind the Curtain of High Mountains" (Czech Republic), "Without Air" (Hungary), "That They May Face the Rising Sun" (Ireland), and "The Olive Tree" (Spain). 

The short film lineup included "HABĀ", "White Ribbons", "Diamond & Narcissus" (Austria), and "A Sea of Trash" (Portugal).

The event drew a particularly strong youth demographic. 

University students from the media, arts, and communications departments attended the festival not just for the screenings but for an immersive, interactive classroom experience.

A particular focus of the festival was bringing the big screen experience to those who rarely access it. 

Kanwal Khoosat, Executive Director of Olomopolo Media, reflected on the power of this access. 

“It was the first time for so many. We have met people, students, young girls, adults, watching a film on a big screen for the first time in their lives,” Khoosat shared, calling the moment of shared discovery the “best part” of her work.

The exposure to global narratives proved invaluable for aspiring filmmakers. 

Shafia, a student from the Institute of Business Management in Karachi, said, “As an aspiring photographer, this is a brilliant opportunity to be exposed to such storytelling and see how different cultures frame their narratives.”

Building community through film

Leading actors and filmmakers present at the festival highlighted its significance as a platform for genuine dialogue and artistic participation, setting it apart from other cultural activities.

Pakistani actor and director Sania Saeed praised the communal experience, noting that cinema and theater provide a profound type of “community building” that sports cannot match.

 She argued that art is inherently collaborative. 

“Arts are not competitive .… It's all about synchronizing,” Saeed said. 

She added that the festival allowed young audiences to see quality filmmaking that looks "very different from what they see on Netflix," creating a more valuable viewing experience.

"Joyland" actor Ali Junejo agreed with Saeed and asserted the need for broader access: “It’s very rare for us to have film festivals here in Pakistan broadly speaking .... I think more people need to watch films. More people need to participate in films.”

Bridging global crises: from floods to wildfires

Raimundas Karoblis, the European Union Ambassador to Pakistan, emphasized that films serve as a powerful tool for global solidarity, making universal issues relatable at the local level.

Ambassador Karoblis, in an exclusive conversation with Pakistan TV Digital, said that the festival proves that “Cinema is for everyone.” 

He highlighted how the films actively confront global crises: “While Pakistan battles climate change with floods, southern Europe has wildfires.”

He added that the festival provides essential context, showing that “the human story and the resilience needed to face them are the same everywhere.”

EUFF 2025 will conclude its mission of connection and conversation in Lahore on November 22 and 23.