Galway Film Fleadh and Luxembourg City Film Festival are delighted to announce a new festival network, Europa Film Festivals. Europa Film Festivals originated from a Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture project and first met at a conference during the Galway Film Fleadh in 2017. This laid the foundation for festivals of a similar ethos to work together and a charter was subsequently drafted outlining their core values.

The primary purpose of the network is to formalise a system for sharing information, strategies and culture amongst festivals that will represent a strong voice in Europe. It will shape, develop, reach and agree common positions and perspectives on key issues. The network will be able to develop resources, business models, best practices and information exchange infrastructures to support members in the emerging film ecosystem, providing a unique opportunity to strengthen film festivals.

Speaking about the network, Miriam Allen, EFF Chairperson and CEO of the Galway Film Fleadh said,

‘We are very excited to present our network and look forward to contributing to the important work that the Europa Film Festivals can achieve together in the future.’

Alexis Juncosa, Artistic Director, of the Luxembourg City Film Festival and Vice-Chair, said of the launch,

“We are extremely pleased to take part in this initiative, borne out of the joint desire to form an association that combines forces to benefit from the unique dynamics of all the festivals involved. We are hoping that this federation will become a solution-oriented partner for dialogue and new ideas. The goals and ambitions of this European association are now being finalized and a specific communication should be ready around The Marché du film Online and Galway Film Fleadh”.

Europa Film Festivals intend to maximise the broad experience, knowledge and creativity of its members in a sustainable and ever-evolving network. In cooperation with Galway 2020 and the Galway Film Fleadh, EFF member festivals will co-curate ‘Peripheral Visions’ a competitive programme of films with the themes ‘Language, Landscape and Migration’. The programme will be available to view online during the Galway Film Fleadh, 7th-12th July and the winning film will receive €3000.

Marilyn Gaughan-Reddan, Head of Programme at Galway 2020 commented

“The team at Galway 2020 are delighted to partner with Galway Film Fleadh on Peripheral Visions, a very significant pan European project for our programme as a European Capital of Culture. We would like to congratulate the Fleadh for producing an incredible event, we are looking forward to seeing years of work come to fruition.

Europa Film Festivals network members

Miriam Allen (Chair) – Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland
Alexis Juncosa (Vice-Chair) – Luxembourg City Film Festival, Luxembourg
Michele Devlin – Belfast Film Festival, Northern Ireland
Hrönn Marinósdóttir – Reykjavik International Film Festival, Iceland
Alejandro Díaz Castaño – Gijon International Film Festival, Spain
Fredau Buwalda – Noordelijk Film Festival, The Netherlands
Kathrin Kohlstedde - Filmfest Hamburg, Germany
Nektarios Sakkas – Athens International Film Festival, Greece
Emmanuel Cuénod – Geneva International Film Festival, Switzerland
Guilhem Caillard – Festival de Films CINEMANIA, Montreal, Canada
Milja Mikkola – Midnight Sun Film Festival, Finland
Johanna Caraire – Festival International du Film Indépendant de Bordeaux, France