The Event Programme at the European Film Festival is an important feature of the festival. Films are of course the heart of any film festival. The side-events which allow enriched engagement with the films, the topics raised in the films, and connection to the filmmakers themselves. Alongside the screening of 18 new films showing online and without cost at the 8th European Film Festival (14 – 18 October) are a series of insightful Live Zoom panel discussions, Filmmaker Q&As, Community Events and Schools Programmes. Visit HERE for links to the Live Zoom discussions and Q&A’s.
Four Live Zoom panel discussions emerging directly from the topics of the films
Monday 18 October at 18.00 Dieter Bachmann, the teacher at the centre of the extraordinary documentary Mr Bachmann and His Class, will be in conversation with former MEC for Education and current Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg, Prof Mary Metcalfe, and Andisiwe Hlungwane of Teachers CAN. Dr Rene Smith (Media and Culture Studies Academic, Durban University of Technology) will facilitate this discussion on new approaches to teaching and inspiring our youth.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in partnership with CANSA the festival will present a focus on personal journeys and survival strategies on Tuesday 19 October. Moderated by South African actress, author, film producer and activist Rosie Motene, this session will feature Ruth Meehan, director of The Bright Side, and Anthea Lewis, Global Hero of Hope and CANSA coordinator.
Wednesday 20 October at 18.00, in the session A film about life, death and money, the directors of Save Sandra, Jan Verheyen and Lien Willaert, are in a highly topical discussion with health and education activist Mark Heywood (editor, Daily Maverick Citizen), about a family’s struggles against the pharmaceutical industry to gain access to medicine for their daughter.
Thursday 21 October at 17.00 sees popular South African comedian Riaad Moosa lead the Humour, Healing and Messaging – thinking while smiling discussion featuring Michela Andreozzi (Parents versus Influencers), Uje Brandelius (Run Uje Run), Michael Kreihsl (Risks and Side Effects) as they unpack the use of humour as a form of messaging, and humour as healing.
Q&A’s
Film-lovers are encouraged to enrich their viewing experience by tuning in to pre-recorded Q&A’s with the filmmakers – preferably after the screening so as to avoid spoilers!
Films with Q&A’s include: Charlatan, My Father is an Airplane, My Little Sister, Never Gonna Snow Again, Parents vs Influencers, Risks and Side Effects, Robust, Run Uje Run, Save Sandra, Stop Zemlia, The Bright Side, The Jump, The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis. These Q&A’s will be available on the website at the start of the festival.
WHAT, WHERE & HOW: The festival runs from 14 to 24 October. For details about these and other events, and the films of course visit HERE. Also see MapMyWay for more information about the films.
