EU Film Festival from May 4 to June 5. This year’s edition, now in its fourth consecutive year, sees Spain taking center stage with two remarkable films—The Blue Star (La Estrella Azul) and Everybody Knows (Todos lo Saben)—that reflect the vibrancy and diversity of European cinema.
The EU Film Festival in Alexandria is part of a larger initiative by the European Commission to foster cultural exchange and elevate the status of European cinema on the world stage. With screenings spread across eight cultural centers in Alexandria, the festival brings together a wide array of films from 26 European countries, creating a unique cinematic experience that resonates deeply with the city’s diverse, cosmopolitan audience.
Spain’s Cinematic Contributions to Alexandria
This year, Spain takes a starring role with two highly acclaimed films, both of which tackle themes of personal transformation and complex human relationships.
On May 15, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, one of the city’s most iconic cultural venues, hosted the screening of The Blue Star, a moving film by Javier Macipe. The movie tells the story of Mauricio Aznar, a rock musician from Spain’s 1990s music scene, struggling with addiction and searching for artistic rebirth in Latin America. Along the way, his unexpected friendship with Don Carlos, an aging folk musician, provides the emotional core of the film, which explores redemption and the universal language of music.
“This film resonates with our vision for the festival,” said a representative from the Instituto Cervantes of Alexandria, which is actively involved in the event. “It’s a story of reconnection—not only between the characters but also between cultures, uniting the diverse languages of the Mediterranean and Latin America through the shared experience of music.”
Next, on May 18, the Instituto Cervantes itself will host the screening of Everybody Knows by Asghar Farhadi, one of the most celebrated directors in contemporary cinema. The Spanish-language drama, featuring Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, follows the return of Laura to her hometown for her sister’s wedding. What begins as a reunion soon devolves into a gripping drama as old family secrets come to light. The film underscores the complexity of human relationships, a theme that aligns with Alexandria’s own rich history of intertwining cultures and narratives.
Alexandria’s Growing Role in Global Cultural Exchange
The EU Film Festival in Alexandria continues to thrive as a key cultural platform in the Arab world, attracting a growing number of film enthusiasts, cultural experts, and international filmmakers. Each year, the event provides a space for deep cultural exchange through not only the screenings but also post-film discussions with filmmakers, critics, and cultural ambassadors.
“Alexandria is a city that has long been a crossroads of cultures,” said Rosa Rodríguez, a cultural attaché at the Spanish Embassy in Cairo. “This festival, which brings together the best of European cinema, is a natural extension of Alexandria’s legacy as a city of learning and dialogue. It’s an opportunity to showcase Spain’s diverse cultural landscape and foster greater connections between Europe and Egypt.”
Admission to the festival screenings is free of charge, with films shown in English and Arabic subtitles, ensuring the event’s accessibility to local audiences. As the city becomes a key cultural hub for the Mediterranean and beyond, this year’s festival is another step in Alexandria’s growing prominence on the global arts scene.
A Platform for Global Dialogue
The EU Film Festival has become much more than just a cinematic event—it is a vital part of Alexandria’s cultural fabric, contributing to the city’s vibrant cultural calendar. It serves as a bridge for fostering greater international cooperation and dialogue on a local level, and its continuing success speaks to Alexandria’s role as a hub for artistic exchange and intercultural understanding.
As this year’s festival unfolds, Alexandria once again proves that it is not only Egypt’s historical treasure but also a living, breathing center of global cultural conversation. The event’s free access and the opportunity for direct engagement with filmmakers only add to its value as a unique cultural experience in the heart of one of the world’s most storied cities.
