The 2018 European Film Festival, an annual film event, kicked off on November 20 to 25, at Kigali’s Century Cinema. The festival’s theme this year is Europe-Africa linkages, and will feature 14 films being screened in 11 countries in Europe.

“Through the film screenings, we will travel and explore various places, in a bid to explore, question, reflect, laugh and experience moments that remind us about the fragility of humanity, but also the strength found in togetherness,” said Marie Clementine Dusabejambo, an independent filmmaker and also this year’s curator for the festival.

Twelve of these films are from countries like France, Rwanda, Belgium, Ireland, DR Congo, Italy, Czech Republic and Germany. They are joint productions between European and African countries and present stories relevant to Africans and Europeans. They tackle issues like immigration, identity, inclusion, love, religion, gender, disability and politics.

The festival’s opening night features the Rwandan premier of The Mercy of the Jungle, a 2018 Belgian-French film by Rwanda film maker Joel Karekezi.

The festival will take place alongside the International Audio-visual Conference organised by the Rwanda Development Board.

As part of its activities, the festival will hold several screenings in Kigali, Kivu Serena Hotel, Rubavu district and at Muhanga District’s Splendid Hotel from November 30 to December 2.