European Union Short Film Festival
May 3 & 4, 2024
at Arts Court Theatre - 2 Daly Ave
Welcome to the 11th edition of the European Union Short Film Festival!
The Canadian Film Institute, the EU Delegation to Canada, and the participating EU Member States invite you to join us as we celebrate short film production in the European Union. The eleventh edition of the EUSFF features 22 films from 22 EU countries.
This year, there are three separate programs presented on the comfort of the Arts Court Theatre. The 2024 selection includes short dramas, documentaries, animation, and experimental films.
45 minutes before the theatre doors open enjoy European food and drinks provided by the EU embassies at the Tastes of Europe Reception.
Again this year, as is customary at the EUSFF, admission to all the screenings is free!
We hope you’ll enjoy these 22 examples of the range and diversity of short films being created across the European Union. And, of course, we look forward to seeing you in November at the upcoming 39th edition of the European Union Film Festival.
Tom McSorley
Executive Director
Canadian Film Institute
Admission is free!
Seats are available on a first come, first served basis.
Keep scrolling to view the three programs!
Thank you to our festival partners
All films include English subtitles for any non-English dialogue.
Each screening runs approximately 60 - 90 minutes.
We strongly encourage patrons to wear masks at our events.
Program 1: (Mis)Communication
Friday, May 3 • 6:15 pm: Taste of Europe • 7:00 pm: Screening
The ways in which we come together or fail to, and all of the beautiful, humorous, and uncomfortable moments in between.
Verdiana
2020 | 10 minutes | Italy
Director: Elena Beatrice and Daniele Lince
A dysfunctional couple’s inability to communicate suddenly becomes very literal.
The Radio
2022 | 11 minutes | Ireland
Director: Laura Kavanagh
A lonely widower’s daily routine is disrupted when his radio breaks.
Are you Hungry?
2019 | 12 minutes | Finland
Director: Teemu Niukkanen
The love of a concerned mother knows no bounds.
I Do
2023 | 15 minutes | Estonia
Director: Teresa Väli
Kidnapped from their wedding, a groom goes in search of his bride, but what if she does not wish to be found?
One Minute
2022 | 10 minutes | Sweden
Director: Matilde Sköld, Marcus Svanberg
Moving into a new apartment, two young women discover that their neighbours look eerily familiar.
Tako Tsubo
2024 | 6 minutes | Austria
Director: Eva Pedroza & Fanny Sorgo
Are you still lovesick if you no longer have a heart?
My Father’s Damn Camera!
2021 | 7 minutes | Slovenia
Director: Miloš Tomić
A son’s complicated relationship with his father… and his father’s camera.
35A
2022 | 9 minutes | Romania
Director: Alfredo Minea
An apartment building, a tight-knit community, and the memories they share.
Program 2: (Mis)Fit
Saturday, May 4 • 3:15 pm: Tastes of Europe • 4:00 pm: Screening
The ways in which we come to find where we truly belong, through curiosity, bravery, and adventure.
(This program is appropriate for children.)
Head in the Clouds
2023 | 11 minutes | Belgium
Director: Rémi Durin
A brave young squirrel goes to great lengths in pursuit of the perfect cloud.
Shell in Love
2021 | 16 minutes | Bulgaria
Director: Svilen Dimitrov
A timid snail must learn to come out of its shell.
Maestro
2005 | 5 minutes | Hungary
Director: Géza M. Tóth
A quiet moment in the dressing room as a performer prepares for the big show.
A greeting from the director of Maestro, Géza M. Tóth.
Suzie in the Garden
2022 | 13 minutes | Czech Republic
Director: Lucie Sunková
A curious young girl explores a mysterious garden near her family’s community allotment.
The Tornado Outside
2023 | 8 minutes | Cyprus
Director: Maria Tomazou
It can be tough to find peace, living on the edge of a tornado.
Program 3: (Mis)Connection
Saturday, May 4 • 6:15 pm: Tastes of Europe • 7:00 pm: Screening
The ways in which the seismic changes of our present moment - social, environmental, and technological - shape and inform our imagined future, and the hope and challenge for human connection throughout.
Companion
2023 | 14 minutes | Denmark
Director: Nivetha Balasubramaniam
What happens to genuine human relationships, when everyone has an AI best friend?
A greeting from Companion's director, Nivetha Balasubramaniam, and producer, Maja Klit.
A Piece of Liberty
2023 | 10 minutes | Greece
Director: Antigoni Kapaka
When the Statue of Liberty is placed under arrest, it is the Joker who must pick up the pieces.
Time Travellers
2023 | 7 minutes | Germany
Director: Christine Gensheimer
A medieval painter embarks on a madcap journey through time.
The Hand of Bacchus
2005 | 12 minutes | Spain
Director: Fernando Landaluce, Cándido Pazos, and Santiago Vivanco.
Joining modernity and tradition, a sculptor’s work is transported through the Spanish wine region.
Expectation and Other Products
2023 | 14 minutes | Lithuania
Director: Dali Rust
A kiosk vendor in an empty market, a rumination on commodification and the soul.
Sweet Dreams
2022 | 3 minutes | France
Director: Benjamin Ifrah
A frustrated dreamer calls customer support after an unwanted dream.
The Raft
2021 | 14 minutes | Croatia
Director: Marko Meštrović
Even as global floodwaters rise, a band must make it to their next gig.
Minotaur
2016 | 8 minutes | Latvia
Director: Kārlis Vītols
While his father is away at work, a young Minotaur meets a series of mythological figures, each a study in the folly of ambition.
The Claw
2023 | 17 minutes | Poland
Director: Marta Z. Nowak
Immersed in his latest project, a puppeteer takes in a family of Ukrainian refugees and enlists their help.