Photo: Contributed
By: Dwight Links
Namibian short films and features films from select European nations will be screened at the upcoming EU Film Festival.
Featuring ten productions from each side, the festival will run from 20 October to 19 November 2026 at the Goethe-Institute in Windhoek.
The Namibian productions display the works of upcoming producers and screenwriters who were recently completed.
These productions depict everyday lives and events that impact these events. Many of which are common themes like drug abuse, identity, forbidden love and heartbreak or loss.
According to the EU mission, this approach of showcasing Namibian and European productions side-by-side is aimed at targeting new audiences.
“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,” Alexandre Baron, head of EU partnerships, described the organisation of the screenings.
The European films hail from eight EU member states. France, Ireland, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Estonia and Poland.
The first movie to open the festival on 20 October is a story about Ireland’s first female president from 1990 to 1997. Baron explained that since Ireland is currently the EU Council Presidency,they will open the festival.
Mary Robinson, trained as a lawyer, competed and won over Irish politics when women leaders were not favoured as being suitable for top political jobs at the start of the nineties.
This opening feature will portray the impact the Irish head of state achieved during turbulent periods of the nineties.
“Selected Namibian short films will open for the European features, giving the local filmmakers a chance to share their work with new audiences.
This is being done in partnership with the Namibia Film Commission (NFC) and the Filmmakers Association of Namibia,” Baron explained.
Alongside this opening viewing, moviegoers will also be treated to a local production titled ‘Sea People of the Namibian Coast.’
A production that speaks about the Topnaar traditional authority and the origins of the group living along the coast of the country. The production team was not able to be present at the festival launch this week.
‘Sea People of the Namibian Coast’ is produced by Julius Mtuleni, and Glenn Kasper with the Topnaar Youth.
Responding to why the festival is happening annually, the EU missions spokesperson, Twaku Kayofa, motivated that the festival provides networking and cultural exchange avenues.
“The festival is about bringing European and Namibian stories together through film, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration.
It’s also about giving local filmmakers and young talent more visibility, supporting skills development and showcasing Namibia as a destination for international film production,” Kayofa outlined.
Kayofa emphasised that screenings will also be brought closer to other communities in the country.
Tjiuna Daringo from the Filmmakers Association of Namibia reiterated the same message of exchange possibilities and greater exposure to opportunities of collaboration and development.
“Film has a unique ability to transcend boundaries, offering us glimpses into cultures, experiences, and perspectives.
This partnership enables us to highlight the richness of Namibian storytelling while also introducing our audiences to diverse European narratives,” Daringo said.
Parents and children will also be treated to content friendly for young audiences. According to Baron, extra viewing will be available for children later in the festival.
“There will be a children’s screening on 6 November, followed by community screenings at the HISA Centre and College of the Arts Katutura campus on 24 and 26 November respectively, “ he added.
Training will also be incorporated into the period of the festival as the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre will host a five day filmmaking and production training from 9 to 13 November.
It will focus on film industry training and cinematic sound design and co-production. The NFC and the Tallinn University’s Baltic Film, Media and Arts school will be involved in this.
The EU described this as a means of assisting the creative sector.
“For us, supporting film means supporting the wider creative industry, the filmmakers, writers, producers, technicians and young creative who are building Namibia’s creative economy and telling its stories,” Baron explained.
