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• The 29th European Union Film Festival (EUFF) has begun in India, featuring the Italian film "La Chimera.".
• The festival, inaugurated by EU Ambassador to India, Hervé Delphin, is a celebration of the shared passion for cinema between Europe and India.
• The EUFF showcases 26 award-winning films from various European countries, providing a diverse cinematic experience.
• As the festival travels from Delhi to Kolkata and Hyderabad, it continues to strengthen cultural ties between Europe and India.

The European Union Film Festival (EUFF), a much-anticipated event in the Indian cultural calendar, has once again opened its doors to cinema enthusiasts. The 29th edition of the festival commenced with the screening of the critically acclaimed Italian film, La Chimera, directed by the renowned Alice Rohrwacher. The festival, which runs from November 7 to 16, is being held across three venues in New Delhi : the India Habitat Centre, Instituto Cervantes, and Goethe Institute.

The festival was inaugurated by Hervé Delphin, the EU Ambassador to India, in the presence of Italian actress Yile Yara Vianello, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute Andrea Anastasio, Lithuanian filmmaker Tomas Vengris, and a crowd of devoted cinephiles eagerly awaiting the annual showcase of Europe's finest cinema.

In his inaugural address, Ambassador Delphin highlighted the shared passion for cinema and storytelling that binds Europe and India. He described the EUFF as a vibrant celebration of this unity and a key event in the Indian cultural calendar.

A Melting Pot of Cultures and Genres

The festival, now in its 29th edition, serves as a unique melting pot for cinephiles and culture enthusiasts, providing a platform for shared experiences. This year's festival shines a light on themes that resonate deeply with contemporary lives. Intricate human relationships take center stage, shedding light on the power of sisterhood, journeys of self-discovery, and the exploration of modern-day challenges.

The festival's rich cinematic experience, spanning a variety of genres, will travel beyond Delhi to Kolkata and Hyderabad this year, offering a vibrant tapestry of European cinema to Indian audiences. Italian actress Yile Yara Vianello, who stars in the opening film La Chimera, expressed her excitement about being in India and representing the film at the EUFF.

She thanked everyone on behalf of the cast and crew for their warm welcome and expressed her eagerness to share the film with the Indian audience.

Showcasing Europe's Finest Cinema

The festival, organized by the European Union in collaboration with EU Members States and regional partners, features 26 award-winning films in 31 languages from countries including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine.

The carefully curated lineup includes some of Europe's most acclaimed films, celebrated at prestigious international festivals. Standout titles include La Chimera, Baan, Jim's Story, Afire, What a Feeling, Animal, An Irish Goodbye, Restore Point, The Man Without Guilt, The Teacher Who Promised the Sea, and more.

The opening film, La Chimera, has been nominated for the Palme d'Or and has received an enthusiastic response from audiences worldwide. The film takes the audience on an adventurous journey between the living and the dead, forests and cities, celebrations and solitudes as the intertwined destinies of characters unfold, all in search of their Chimera.