The European Film Days, which are for many years an established part of Europe Day celebrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, opened at the Meeting Point cinema in Sarajevo on the evening of Saturday, 17 May. Until 23 May, film lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy 11 European films every evening at Meeting Point free of charge.

The audience for the first night of the European Film Days 2025 was greeted by Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH and Dominik Urak, the Deputy Head of the Embassy of Austria to BiH.

“Over the past ten days, we have been celebrating Europe Day with our member states and partners across BiH, underlining our shared values and our common history, culture and roots. We all know what a powerful tool culture is. It builds bridges between people and deepens our understanding of the world around us. Film culture in particular provides a window into other societies. The films that will be screened in the days ahead are award winning European productions and we are delighted to be able to provide free screenings for film lovers in Sarajevo, a city with its own outstanding film culture” said Ambassador Soreca.

This year's edition of the European Film Days was opened by the Austrian drama “A Whole Life” (2023) directed by Hans Steinbichler, based on the best selling novel by Robert Seethaler. The film was presented by the Austrian Embassy in BiH and the Austrian Cultural Centre. 

“It is a pleasure to greet you on behalf of the Austrian Embassy and the Austrian Cultural Forum Sarajevo as well as on behalf of the EUNIC network of EU National Institutes of Culture. Across the world, EUNIC organizes cultural projects in cooperation with local partners. Without EUNIC, we would not be here today since EUNIC is coorganising the European Film Days. We are happy to open this year’s edition with an Austrian film and we hope you will enjoy our journey through the Austrian Alps,” said Mr Urak.

Free tickets are collected at the Meeting Point cinema one hour before the start of each screening. Full programme is available at Cinema Meeting Point’s channels. 

The European Film Days programme is organized by the EU Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with EUNIC - Cultural institutes of EU Member State embassies with embassies of Austria, Hungary, Spain, Croatia, France, Romania, Czech Republic, Greece and the Netherlands.

More information about the European Film Days programme and the Europe Day in BiH celebrations are available at www.europehouse.ba  and www.kinomeetingpoint.ba.