The European Film Festival took place from 12-15 June 2024 and had more than 1200 participants over four days. Five out of 9 screenings reached total capacity, and the panels following the screenings of ’20 Days in Mariupol’ and the local films were very interactive. 

It was in its sixth edition here in Botswana and was co-organised with Alliance Française in Gaborone, with contributions from the EU Members States – Austria, France, Spain, as well as Ukraine. 

This year there was a focus on award-winning films from all over Europe, bringing the highest quality films to Botswana. The films screened  such as Anatomy of a Fall and 20 Days in Mariupol, had won among others, awards at Cannes Film Festival, The Academy/Oscar Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTA and many more. 

Speaking at the festival, the European Union Ambassador to Botswana and SADC, Petra Pereyra, reiterated the importance of cultural exchange and dialogue that events like the European Film Festival promote. Adding that in these times, when the world can often feel divided, cinema reminds us of our commonalities and shared dreams that unite us all.