The 13th European Film Festival in South Africa sees select cinemas showing contemporary films from across the continent paint intimate, human portraits of family in all its different forms as vital to personal, psychological and social survival.
This year’s programme boasts 12 films from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
The schedule includes new work from Oscar-winning directors Pawel Pawlikowski and Paolo Sorrentino; social realist legends, the Dardenne Brothers; BAFTA-winning feature debutant Akinola Davies Jr.; and intriguing, entertaining, always engaging work from both veteran and emerging European cinematic storytellers.
Featuring impressive performances from the cream of European talent, including Mads Mikkelsen, Javier Bardem, Sandra Hüller and Carice van Houten as well as a host of newcomers ably meeting the challenges of demanding, emotional roles – the 13th edition of South Africa’s premier festival for cinema-lovers explores family and its realities and challenges across time, place and genre.
Also, this year’s festival is extra special, as it pays tribute to the tireless dedication and vision of former co-director of the festival Peter Rorvik, who sadly passed away earlier in 2026.