The 18th annual Eurocine Film Festival will showcase over 100 films throughout Colombia, with Finland being this year’s guest of honor.
The event will run in Bogota until April 29 and then move onto Medellin May 4 to 11, Cali May 11 to 17 with Pereira, Manizales, Villavicencio, Bucaramanga, Neiva, Cartagena and Barranquilla hosting later.
“What I’m most proud of is that the festival is returning to its roots, to bring films that would otherwise never be in Colombian theaters,” said Exhibition Director German Hoppe Theresa.
“We want to change the idea that European cinema is heavy and sad. Therefore, we believe in variety, in bringing beautiful films that range in narrative from animation, comedy and classics. We want to broaden the spectrum,” she explained.
Five films from the heart of Scandinavia will be on display, with Finnish cinema set to make a splash with Colombian audiences.
“Finland will be our main course,” said Eurocine’s director.
Director Dome Karukoski’s road film “Lapland Odyssey” premiered at Bogota‘s Jorge Gaitan Theater to mark the first night of the festival Thursday. The filmmaker will also run a workshop for students and film professionals April 21 and 22.
A retrospective of Finnish master Aki Kaurismäki is also planned for the eclectic festival, which will feature movies from 21 countries.
124 productions ranging from shorts to full-length features in seven categories are set to hit theaters around the country.