European Film Festival puts Namibian cinema in spotlight

The European Film Festival will bring Namibian and European cinema together from 20 October to 19 November, with local filmmakers set to share their work alongside productions from eight European Union (EU) member states.

The festival was officially launched on Monday at the Goethe-Institut Namibia in Windhoek, with organisers highlighting its focus on cultural exchange, local storytelling and opportunities to strengthen Namibia’s film industry. The programme will feature 10 Namibian films and 10 European productions, with screenings scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday at the Goethe-Institut, with films starting at 19:00.

The participating EU member states are Finland, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Estonia and Poland. Ireland, which currently holds the EU Council

Presidency, will open the festival with the documentary Mrs Robinson, directed by Aoife Kelleher.

Strengthening local filmmaking

Speaking at the launch, Alexandre Baron, head of partnerships at the European Union to Namibia, said the festival was evolving to bring the two film industries closer together while creating opportunities for local creatives.

“This year, we are changing things up a little. We are bringing European and Namibian cinema closer together, opening the festival to new audiences and putting more focus on the people and talent behind the films,” he said. Baron said selected Namibian short films would be screened before the European feature films, giving local filmmakers an opportunity to reach wider audiences. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Namibia Film Commission (NFC) and the Filmmakers Association of Namibia (FAN).

He added that the festival’s contribution extended beyond entertainment, as it also supported the development of the country’s creative economy. “For us, supporting film means supporting the wider creative industry, the filmmakers, writers, producers, technicians and young creatives who are building Namibia’s creative economy and telling its stories,” Baron said.

In addition to the screenings, the festival will include a five-day film industry training programme from 9 to 13 November at the Franco-Namibia Cultural Centre (FNCC). The training will focus on cinematic sound design and co-production and is being developed with the NFC and Tallinn University’s Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, with Estonia partnering on the capacity-building initiative.

Cultural exchange

FAN chairperson Tjiuna Daringo said the festival provided an important platform for cultural exchange while recognising the value of Namibian stories and international perspectives. “This festival not only celebrates the art of filmmaking but also serves as a vital platform for cultural exchange between Namibia and Europe,” she said.

Daringo said the partnership could help inspire local filmmakers, encourage professional development and create opportunities for collaboration between Namibian and international industry players.

“We believe this festival will inspire and empower our local talent, promoting opportunities for collaboration and professional growth within our film industry,” she said.

Community screenings will also extend the festival beyond the Goethe-Institut. Selected films will be shown at the Hope Initiatives Southern Africa Centre on 24 November, the FNCC on 25 November and the Katutura College of the Arts on 26 November.

Taking centre stage

The Namibian selection covers a range of subjects, including indigenous identity, relationships, mental health, spirituality, social challenges and personal resilience.

Sea People of the Namibian Coast, a documentary by Julius Mtuleni, Glenn Kasper and the Topnaar Youth, explores indigenous identity, cultural resilience and the preservation of ancestral heritage.

Meanwhile, Connection, written, directed and co-produced by Zachary Batik, uses Namibia’s landscapes and subtle human interactions to explore loneliness, technology and human relationships.

Other local productions include Okuruwo, written and produced by Nakale and directed by Elizabeth Hamukwaya, which examines the spiritual significance of the sacred fire among the Himba and Herero communities.

Emanya, written and directed by Laudika yaNdangii Hamutenya, explores the lives of illegal gold miners risking their lives in pursuit of survival.

Sports betting and its consequences feature in One More Win, directed by Jo-Neillen Isaaks and co-written by Wesley Tashiya, while Mindful Maestros, directed by Kevin Perestrelo and implemented by Impact Tank, follows young boys exploring identity and emotional wellbeing through art.

The local lineup also includes Good Shepherd, After Hours, Uno & Hatago and Speel Aan, offering stories that range from human trafficking and LGBTQ+ experiences to personal tragedy, depression and redemption.

Diverse perspectives

European productions will introduce audiences to different social realities and cinematic styles. Alongside Mrs Robinson, the programme includes the German drama Vena, the Spanish prison thriller Celda 211, the Polish film The Altar Boys and the Italian musical drama Gloria!.

The selection also features Estonia’s comedy-drama Rolling Paper, the Czech children’s film Living Large,

Portugal’s Greice, France’s Making Of and Finland’s Stormskerry Maja.

With local productions sharing the programme with European films and industry training forming part of the initiative, the festival aims to create space for audiences to engage with diverse stories while strengthening connections within Namibia’s growing film sector.

-hnalupe@nepc.com.na

Film screening schedule:

Sea People of the Namibian Coast – 20 Oct and 26 Nov

Mrs Robinson – 20 Oct

Connection – 22 Oct and 6 Nov

Vena – 22 Oct

Celda 211 – 27 Oct

After Hours – 27 Oct, 17 Nov and 24 Nov

Okuruwo – 29 Oct

The Altar Boys – 29 Oct

Good Shepherd – 3 Nov

Gloria! – 3 Nov