This year’s European Union Film Festival will see 12 selected European films from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden screened from May 22 to June 1 in Siem Reap at the Baray Andet Movie Theatre.

There will be two screenings daily in Siem Reap – a Khmer-language edition screening at 4pm, and at 6.30pm there will be a screening in the original language of the movie, with English subtitles. Admission to all the screenings is free.

The EU film festival is presented every year by the embassies of EU Member States and the EU Delegation to mark Europe Day celebrations on May 9, as well as to present the image of European culture to Cambodian people.

"The EU Film Festival plays a significant role in presenting the European culture,” Jean-François Cautain, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, said.

He added, “It is a 'window to Europe': through this window, Cambodians can look into the diversity and richness of the European culture and life in various socio-economic environments across Europe.

“Through the EU Film Festival, Cambodians can discover how people in Europe see life, the way they handle their problems and their own interpretation of the world.”"

Pok Poun, Press and Information Officer of the European Union said the festival in Siem Reap will officially be opened by Alain Vandersmissen, Minister-counselor, EU Delegation to the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Bun Tharith, Siem Reap Deputy Governor with over 200 participants. The opening ceremony will be followed by the screening of a Netherlands film, Cool Kids Don't Cry.

The full screening schedule is: May 22, Cool Kid Don’t Cry; May 23, The Shooter – Denmark; May 24, Kooky – Czech Republic; May 25, Couleur de Peau – France; May 26, Westwind –Germany; May 27, Ondine – Ireland; May 28, Il Gattopardo – Italy; May 29, Fados – Portugal; May 30, Cosinhood – Spain; May 31, De Atem Des Himmels – Austria; June 1, The Last Sentence – Sweden.

Last year’s EU Film Festival was strongly received, with the hope that this festival, together with other initiatives, will help kick start a cinema culture in Siem Reap.