25th European Film Festival Malaysia Opens in Tandem with MIFFest, Celebrating Cinematic Unity Across Cultures. The 25th edition of the European Film Festival Malaysia (EUFF) commenced with a grand opening ceremony at GSC MyTOWN, Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant milestone in its history. For the first time, the festival is held concurrently with the 8th Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest), in a groundbreaking collaboration that bridges the cinematic worlds of Europe and Southeast Asia. This joint celebration underscores a shared vision of cultural exchange, storytelling, and creativity under the unifying theme of “Infinity.”
The evening began with a vibrant cocktail reception attended by filmmakers, diplomats, media, and cultural enthusiasts from both regions. Guests were welcomed warmly by the emcee, who introduced the festival’s expanded direction and highlighted the significance of the new partnership between EUFF and MIFFest. The reception featured European culinary touches, including a cheese sampling by Emborg and refreshing juice packs from Sunquick, adding an international flair to the festivities. A captivating opening performance followed, seamlessly merging Malaysian traditional dance with European classical music, set against a backdrop of imaginative visuals created by local artists to embody the festival’s theme of boundless creativity.
In her welcome address, MIFFest President Joanne Goh praised the collaboration as a powerful symbol of the unifying power of film. “This collaboration reflects our shared belief in the power of cinema to bridge cultures, foster dialogue, and celebrate the richness of global storytelling,” she said, noting that films from 18 European countries are represented this year, with several entries also featured in MIFFest’s competition segment.
European Union Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Rafael Daerr, then officially opened the festival, emphasizing the EU’s ongoing dedication to cultural diplomacy. “It’s wonderful to see how the European Film Festival has developed since 1999. Today, it stands as one of the most significant international film festivals in Malaysia. And this year, with trust and unity, we proudly mark the 25th edition in parallel with the 8th Malaysia International Film Festival,” he remarked.
Attendees were given a glimpse of the diverse European lineup through a special screening of trailers that showcased the variety of genres, languages, and perspectives being presented. A group photo session with representatives from both festivals commemorated this meaningful cultural partnership.
The evening concluded with the Malaysian premiere of Year of the Widow, a poignant drama directed by Czech filmmaker Veronika Lišková. Co-produced by Slovakia and Croatia, the film follows Petra, a woman navigating the emotional and practical aftermath of her husband’s sudden death while raising her teenage daughter. This marks Lišková’s first foray into narrative filmmaking after her success with documentaries such as Daniel’s World and The Visitors, which screened at Berlinale and Locarno respectively.
Running from 20 to 27 July 2025, the 25th European Film Festival Malaysia, held alongside MIFFest, promises to be a cinematic celebration that encourages dialogue, discovery, and cultural understanding. It offers Malaysian audiences a rare opportunity to experience the richness of European cinema while reaffirming the role of film as a universal bridge between people and cultures.