THE Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, together with the EU member states’ embassies and the Manila-based EU cultural institutes are proud to present Cine Europa 29 from May 28 to July 4, 2026.
This year’s Cine Europa will feature 17 full-feature films and three documentaries from member states of the bloc. The Manila screenings will run in the Red Carpet Cinema of the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City until June 3, and in Rizal Park from June 15 to June 20. Screenings will also be held in Tacloban (June 11 to 15), and Cagayan de Oro (June 29 to July 4) to reach a wider audience across the country.
The films range from historical dramas and fiction to adventure and comedy-a testament to European cinema’s diversity. Cinephiles and newcomers alike can enjoy the selections for free in all venues.
On May 14, members of Manila-based media were treated to an exclusive screening of the feature film Lampo, the Traveling Dog-a touching family adventure movie from Poland about a friendship between a sick girl and a remarkable pooch that rides trains across the country.
Other films that will be screened for Cine Europa 29 are the following:
The Waves (Czech Republic)-During the Prague Spring of 1968 and the subsequent Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, the story follows journalists at Czechoslovak Radio as they attempt to broadcast uncensored information while under surveillance and political pressure. Through a young man’s perspective, the film explores moral courage, resistance, and the power of media in times of crisis.
Summer is Crazy (Finland)-Set in the Finnish archipelago during the midsummer week, the film follows the dreams and disappointments of the Eerolas, alongside their friends and lovers. After their fine dining restaurant went bankrupt, the family is stuck in a seaside village with no clear plan for the future.
Hidden People (Slovenia)-Guti is a struggling Slovenian man and Sig, an Icelandic tourist suffering from memory loss. Both wake up handcuffed together on a riverbank. Blending absurd humor with emotional depth, the film portrays an unexpected friendship between two outsiders while reflecting on displacement, social marginalization, and the search for belonging in contemporary Europe.
Four Mothers (Ireland)-A novelist on the verge of success suddenly finds himself responsible not only for his own mother, but also for her elderly friends. Set in Dublin, the film humorously and poignantly explores caregiving, aging, and intergenerational relationships.
Head or Fails (Belgium)-The movie tells the story of individuals caught in cycles of risk-taking and uncertain choices, where each decision carries lasting consequences. As their lives intertwine, the film examines themes of addiction, chance, and personal responsibility. It presents a raw and grounded portrayal of how small decisions can shape entire futures.
Sleeping with a Tiger (Austria)-A biographical drama about painter Maria Lassnig, the film traces different stages of her life as she develops her distinctive artistic vision. Moving through memories, imagination, and moments of solitude, Lassnig confronts personal struggles, artistic doubt, and the challenges of working in a male-dominated art world.
Peacock (Austria)-Matthias is a professional ‘rent-a-companion’ who can be hired to play any role-such as a cultured boyfriend, a perfect son, or a social partner for various situations. While he excels at adapting to others’ expectations and performing different identities for clients, his constant impersonation begins to blur the line between performance and reality. The Dance Club (Sweden)-A group of misfit patients at a psychiatric clinic form an unlikely alliance, as they ask a radical question: Are there ways to heal that don’t involve pills and labels?
Loss of Balance (Poland)-Maja is a young acting student nearing graduation, who struggles with self-doubt and uncertainty about her future. As rehearsals intensify, she is pushed to her emotional limits, blurring the line between artistic dedication and psychological control.
‘Roter Himmel’ (Afire) (Germany)-A group of young people spend a hot summer by the Baltic Sea, as nearby forest fires encroach on their surroundings. The movie delicately weaves together themes of love, ego, and creative crisis, while the ever-present threat of fire mirrors the characters’ internal turmoil. Maricel (Cyprus)-A Filipina domestic worker is hired to care for an elderly couple in a remote mountain village. What initially appears to be a straightforward caregiving role gradually reveals deeper tensions, emotional dependency, and unspoken histories within the household. As relationships evolve, Maricel becomes entangled in a complex dynamic balancing duty, intimacy, and personal boundaries.
Gloria (Italy)-A women’s institution in Venice at the end of the 18th century is on the eve of social and cultural transformation. The story follows Teresa: a young servant with an extraordinary musical talent who lives among a group of marginalized girls. When a new piano arrives, she and some others begin experimenting with music in unconventional ways, challenging the rigid structures imposed on them.
Sentimental Value (EU Delegation)-An aging filmmaker tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter by casting her in his next film. Navigating unresolved tensions and emotional distance, the project becomes a deeply personal exploration of memory, grief, and the complexities of family relationships. Set against a reflective, intimate backdrop, the film examines how art can both heal and reopen wounds, blending meta-cinema with a poignant study of reconciliation and identity.
How Can I Live Without You (Hungary)-A young woman coping with loss, Lili discovers her mother Eszter’s diary and old love letters. Upon reading them, the narrative shifts to the early 1990s, where her mother spends a summer at Lake Balaton with friends. Determined to be faithful to her boyfriend, Eszter’s plans are disrupted when she meets a carefree musician. What unfolds is a story of love, jealousy, and emotional awakening, with effects that echo into the next generation.
‘Campamento garra de oso’ (Bear Claw Camp) (Spain)- Maia, who is imaginative and lively, meets Jan-a fearful city boy. They race against time to save the summer camp threatened by eccentric builder Sebastián Sebastián. In their mission, they relentlessly search for a bear whom they believe still inhabits the valley but remains unseen, aided by Fritz, a funny and grumpy talking skunk which will accompany them in this life-changing adventure.
‘Un Ours Dans La Jura’ (France)-Set in the snowy Jura mountains, the film follows a struggling couple whose lives take an unexpected turn after a car accident leads them to discover a large sum of money. What begins as an opportunity quickly spirals into a chain of increasingly absurd and dangerous events, as greed, paranoia, and poor decisions push them deeper into trouble.
The three documentaries are:
Andy Warhol: American Dream (Slovakia)-It traces the extraordinary journey of Andy Warhol: son of poor immigrants from the Carpathian region who rose from a Slovak-Rusyn community in Pittsburgh to become one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Beyond the well-known myth of the pop-art icon, the documentary explores the cultural and spiritual roots that shaped his life and work.
Nasty (Romania)-This is about Ilie Nastase: the legendary Romanian tennis player who rose to global fame despite coming from a relatively unknown country behind the ‘Iron Curtain.’ The film charts his remarkable achievements on the court, alongside his unpredictable personality marked by charisma, controversy, and explosive behavior.
A Simple Soldier (Ukraine)-Against the backdrop of war in Eastern Ukraine, an ordinary man is drawn into the harsh realities of frontline service, where survival depends as much on instinct as on discipline. Far from heroic myths, his journey reveals the quiet resilience and inner conflicts of those caught in a conflict larger than themselves, as he navigates fear, loyalty, and the shifting line between duty and doubt.
This year’s Cine Europa was made possible through partners such as the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Shangri-la Plaza Corp., Eastern Visayas State University (Tacloban), Liceo Cagayan de Oro University and National Parks Development Committee.