The third edition of the European Film Screenings (EFS/03), taking place in the UAE (19 -27 October, 2016), has revealed the list of the European feature films participating in the programme. The EFS will boast a collection of 17 European films under the European Film Academy selection and the participating European Embassies in the UAE. The programme will also be screening five Arab feature films from Algeria, Jordan, Qatar, Lebanon and the UAE, along with a bundle of short films from Switzerland.

Alessandra Priante, Founder and Artistic Director of European Film Screenings, said, "Bringing European Cinema to the UAE is an immense pleasure, as it involves working with some of the best films, people and institutions in the world. It can only happen in the UAE, a Country of true tolerance and mutual understanding between cultures."

The third edition of the European Film Screenings (EFS) is held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and is hosted by the EU Delegation to the UAE and the Embassy of the Slovak Republic to the UAE, in collaboration with Novo Cinemas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Patrizio Fondi, Ambassador of the European Union to the UAE, explained, "Over a period of 8 days, residents of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, will have the chance to choose from a variety of film genres that feature famed talent including well-known directors, highly acclaimed actors, writers and producers from Europe. Over the past two years, the Emirati and European communities in the UAE have appreciated our efforts to present films that would not be commercially screened in the UAE."

Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, CEO of Novo Cinemas, expressed her support for the program, saying, "We are excited to support the European Film Screenings for a second consecutive year.
Novo stand by the EFS' dedication to sharing European Cinema with UAE audiences and we believe in the creative diversity of this festival. We look forward to a prosperous partnership in the years to come, as both companies continue to support a variety of cinematic art and artists."

Dusan Horniak, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the UAE, added, "Films are like dreams - they are offering us the opportunity to multiply our life experiences. It is a privilege to assist bringing European films and dreams to UAE viewers."

The European Film Screenings is now recognized as one of the most esteemed independent cultural events in the UAE. This year's edition operates under the support of the European Film Academy, for the first time in its history, and, Eurimages, two of the most prominent cinema institutions in Europe, and is sponsored by Tharwa Productions, Aramex and Jumeirah. Furthermore, and for the first time, the EFS/03 will dedicate an entire Arab-European features programme.

Marion Döring, Director of the European Film Academy, said, "The European Film Academy is very happy that it can help bring European films to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Films, as we all know, are the best ambassadors for understanding other cultures and mentalities. A film may take us on a journey to a completely unknown world, but when we leave the cinema we feel safer and enriched --- because we relate to the film's characters and discover human beings like us that may be living in a very different place from ours. We strongly believe in cinema as a contributor to tolerance and a better world."

Hussein Wehbe, Regional Director of Lower Gulf at Aramex, stated, "We are pleased to be supporting this great event in the UAE, which promotes cultural diversity and integration through the language of cinema. We, at Aramex, bring the world together and we are proud to be the European Cinema carrier to the UAE."

The film screenings will be hosted by Novo Cinemas at its Abu Dhabi-based venue, the World Trade Center Mall Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi from 19-26 October, 2016, and at Ibn Battuta Mall and Dubai Festival City Mall in Dubai from 20-27 October, 2016.

All screenings are free of charge and seats are allocated on a first come/first serve basis.

European Feature Films Participating in the 3rd European Film Screenings:

Goodnight Mommy | Austria | Director: Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz
The Snake Brothers | Czech Republic| Director: Jan Prusinovsky
Men & Chicken | Denmark | Director: Anders Thomas Jensen
Ricky Rapper and the Nighthawk | Finland | Director: Timo Koivusalo
Comme Un Avion| France | Director: Bruno Podalydès
Hördur - Zwischen den Welten | Germany | Director: Ekrem Ergün
The Lobster | Ireland | Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Mia Madre| Italy| Director: Nanni Moretti
Modris| Latvia, Germany, Greece| Director: Juris Kursietis
Voices From Chernobyl| Luxembourg, Austria, Ukraine | Director: Pol Cruchten
Meester Kikker| Netherlands | Director: Anna van der Heide
Miasto 44 (Warsaw 44)| Poland | Director: Jan Komasa
Arabian Nights Volume 1| Portugal| Director: Miguel Gomes
Koza| Slovakia, Czech Republic| Director: Ivan Ostrochovský
La Isla Minima | Spain | Director: Alberto Rodríguez
A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence| Sweden | Director: Roy Andersson
Paddington| UK | Director: Paul King

Arab Feature Films Participating in the 3rd European Film Screenings:

Let Them Come | Algeria | Director: Salem Brahimi
Abdullah | UAE | Director: Humaid Alsuwaidi
Very Big Shot | Lebanon, Qatar| Director: Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya
The Curve | Jordan, Egypt, France, UAE| Director: Rifqi Assaf
Al Medina | Jordan, Denmark | Director: Omar Shargawi

Swiss Short Films Participating in the 3rd European Film Screenings:


Hausarrest | Director: Matthias Sahli
Lucens | Director: Marcel Barelli
Nirin | Director: JosuaHotz
Subotika: Land of Wonders | Director: Peter Volkart
Suspendu | Director: Elie Grappe