European Union Short Film Festival
May 27 - 29, 2021
Welcome back to another virtual version of our annual European Union Short Film Festival, this year in its 8th edition! This very special Canada-wide online event is presented in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union to Canada and the embassies and cultural institutes of participating EU member states.
Once again, we’re excited to present these amazing short works from filmmakers all over the European Union, and we remain thankful that we live in age when technology enables us to bring this impressive moving image content to our audiences. Like you, we also look forward to the day when we can gather and watch these films together in an actual cinema.
The short film is how cinema began back in the late 19th century. The making of short films is also where great filmmakers get their start. The Canadian Film Institute is proud to celebrate the short film form in its other major festivals, the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) and the International Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO), and is committed to showcasing the cinematic talents in filmmakers working in short form fiction, documentary, experimental, and animation styles. The EU Short Film Festival is a crucial part of that cinematic commitment, and we are proud to present this collection of 21 shorts representing 21 EU Member States.
Finally, as we’re still facing travel restrictions for a little while longer, thanks to this online EU Short Film Festival you’ll still be able to travel safely all over the European Union!
Bon voyage! Bon cinéma!
Tom McSorley
Executive Director, Canadian Film Institute
Dear European film fans,
I am thrilled to welcome you to the 8th annual European Union Short Film Festival, which returns as a virtual event for a second consecutive year.
The European Union Short Film Festival is part of May Europe Day celebrations in Canada and, in 2021, marks the 45th anniversary of the Delegation of the European Union to Canada. This year’s fresh collection of 21 films from as many EU Member States features a wide range of film genres and stories.
We have all experienced the transformative power of the arts and have come to appreciate culture in a new light over the past year. Numerous cultural activities such as this have enabled us to stay connected and resilient as we continue to cope collectively with the pandemic, no matter where we are in the world.
On behalf of the Delegation of the European Union to Canada, I would like to extend our thanks to the Canadian Film Institute, the Embassies of EU Member States and the European Union National Institutes for Culture for their continued support in these challenging times. We are grateful for their steadfast support and expressions of solidarity.
Stay safe and continue to enjoy European films - even if still on the small screen for now!
Dr. Melita Gabrič
Ambassador of the European Union to Canada
Chers amis du cinéma européen,
Je suis ravie de vous accueillir à la 8me édition du Festival du court-métrage de l'Union européenne, en ligne pour la deuxième année consécutive.
Le Festival du court-métrage de l'Union européenne s'inscrit dans le cadre des célébrations de la Journée de l'Europe en mai et du 45e anniversaire de la Délégation de l'Union européenne au Canada. Cette année, une nouvelle collection de 21 films provenant d'autant d'États membres de l'UE présente un large éventail de genres cinématographiques et d'histoires.
Nous avons tous déjà expérimenté le pouvoir transformatif des arts et avons appris à apprécier la culture sous un jour nouveau au cours de l'année écoulée. De nombreuses activités culturelles comme celle-ci nous ont permis de rester connectés alors que nous continuons à faire face collectivement à la pandémie, où que nous soyons dans le monde.
Au nom de la Délégation de l'Union européenne au Canada, je tiens à remercier l'Institut canadien du film, les ambassades des États membres de l'UE et les instituts nationaux de la culture de l'Union européenne pour leur appui constant en ces temps difficiles. Nous sommes reconnaissants de leur soutien indéfectible et de leurs témoignages de solidarité.
Restez en sécurité et continuez à apprécier les films européens - même s'ils sont pour le moment cantonnés au petit écran !
Dr. Melita Gabrič
L’Ambassadrice de l'Union européenne au Canada
Tickets are free!
Keep scrolling to view the three programs!
Thank you to our festival partners
All EUSFF screenings are available only within Canada.
If you need further instructions how to watch online, read through our Online Screenings: How to & Troubleshooting page.
Each film screening will be available for 72 hours (May 27 - May 29). You will have 48 hours to complete your viewing once begun.
Films presented with English subtitles.
Program 1: Home
Returning home. Finding a home. Leaving home. Staying home. Creating a home.
Nha Mila
2020 | 18 minutes | Portugal
Director: Denise Fernandes
A chance encounter with someone from Mila’s childhood allows her to reflect upon the experience of leaving - and returning - home.
Manivald
2017 | 13 minutes | Estonia
Director: Chintis Lundgren
When the washing machine breaks shortly before his 33rd birthday, feelings of desire and discomfort prompt Manivald to change his tune.
The Stick (Keppi)
2020 | 11 minutes | Finland
Director: Teppo Airaksinen
Aava’s father gives her one chance to prove she is ready to have a dog. Will their expectations of one another be met?
Hedgehog's Home
2017 | 10 minutes | Croatia
Director: Eva Cvijanović
Despite his neighbours’ opinions, a hedgehog understands the security of a well-loved home.
Not Far Out (Nicht Weit Raus)
2020 | 11 minutes | Germany
Director: Beran Ergün
Struggling to stay afloat, an open-water swimmer is confronted by the grim reality of their chosen training route.
Neighbooor (Vecinooo)
2020 | 10 minutes | Spain
Director: Paco León
Frustrated by quarantine, Luis’s patience and perspective is challenged when a neighbour begins invading his privacy.
Program 2: Transformation
Making a change. Growth. Movement. Being yourself. Life’s journey.
The Amorous Indies (Les Indes Galantes)
2018 | 5 minutes | France
Director: Clément Cogitore
An 18th century opera-ballet, inspired by Native American tribal dances, is reinterpreted by krump dancers, carrying on a history of dance as a rebellion.
Matilda and the Spare Head (Matilda ir atsarginė galva)
2020 | 13 minutes | Lithuania
Director: Ignas Meilūnas
When Matilda fills her head to capacity with knowledge, her mother gets her a back-up. But are two heads really better than one?
10 Seconds
2020 | 6 minutes | Bulgaria
Director: Evgenia Taneva
In the heat of a boxing match, a fighter recalls the key moments that led her to this fight in the ring.
Bela
2019 | 9 minutes | Hungary
Director: Roland Toth
A boy from Transylvania makes his way through life in Budapest in the early 20th century, only to become known as a Transylvanian icon.
The Mask
2021 | 14 minutes | Poland
Director: Hanka Brulińska
A visually chaotic, operatic journey through the mind of an AI as it learns how to be human, and reflects back questionable aspects of the human experience.
Panta Rhei
2018 | 10 minutes | Belgium
Director: Wouter Bongaerts
Like the beached whale he studies, Stefaan is lost in an unfamiliar sea. Tormented by drips, rain, and puddles, he tries to keep his head above water.
Mensch Maschine Or Putting Parts Together
2019 | 8 minutes | Austria
Director: Adina Camhy
This experimental film essay draws parallels between a kitchen appliance and a synthesizer, using the visuals of one and the sounds of the other.
Pepitas
2018 | 8 minutes | Italy
Director: Alessandro Sampaoli
When his grandmother’s other caretaker doesn’t show up in time, Andrea must take his grandmother with him to his performance tonight.
Program 3: Discovery
Exploration. Uncovering the unknown. Uncharted territory. A new adventure.
Face of Christ (Wiċċ ta’Kristu’)
2020 | 7 minutes | Malta
Director: Rodney Gauci
You never know what can happen when you stage a play about the life of Christ.
The Pit (Jáma)
2019 | 9 minutes | Czech Republic
Director: Markéta Smolíková Kubátová
A very unusual mining adventure story, one that puts its mouth where the money is.
Treasures of Greece (Grieķijas dārgumi)
2020 | 11 minutes | Latvia
Director: Jānis Cimmermanis
When an old man fishing in the Aegean Sea discovers an ancient urn, help is soon on the way from faraway Latvia.
Trust Me
2019 | 6 minutes | Slovakia
Director: Zlata Golecová
Always put your best foot forward, but be careful what you plant.
The End of Suffering (A Proposal)
2020 | 14 minutes | Greece
Director: Jacqueline Lentzou
In this poetic, philosophical tale, a young woman discovers her real identity and origins in a cosmic conversation with the universe.
The Wiremen
2019 | 10 minutes | Ireland
Director: Jessica Patterson
When electricity comes to Ireland, strange and magical things start to happen in little Rosie’s world.
Thank You (Faleminderit)
2020 | 13 minutes | Luxembourg
Director: Nicholas Neuhold
This short drama illustrates how national border disputes are settled by politicians, a cartographer, a little boy, and chocolate. Yes, chocolate!
Program notes by Sarah Lamoureux (‘Home’), Tish Chambers (‘Transformation’) and Tom McSorley (‘Discovery’).