Sialkot (GNP): The 5th European Film Festival (EUFF) has arrived in Sialkot, bringing two days of European cinema, conversations, performances and cultural activities to audiences at Government College Women University and other venues in the city.
The Sialkot programme is being held on September 16 and 17, 2026, as part of the festival’s wider journey across Pakistan.
According to the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, the 2026 festival is being presented by the European Union and curated by Olomopolo Media.
The festival aims to use cinema as a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue, bringing audiences together through European and Pakistani films, live performances and interactive experiences.
The organisers are targeting young audiences, families, film enthusiasts, members of the film industry and diplomats.
The Sialkot programme features several European films representing different countries and cinematic traditions.
The featured films listed for the city include “Roundabout,” “Young Lady,” “What’s the Purpose of Bread,” “An Irish Goodbye,” and “Living Large.” The programme provides audiences with an opportunity to experience stories from different cultural settings while engaging with themes explored through contemporary European cinema.
The festival is part of a broader cultural programme that has travelled to different cities in Pakistan since its launch.
According to the EU Delegation, the European Film Festival was first held in Pakistan in 2021 and has since visited cities including Gilgit, Quetta, Peshawar, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Multan, Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.
The 2026 edition began in Islamabad on September 12 and 13 at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts before moving to Sialkot.
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Following the Sialkot programme, the festival is scheduled to continue to Jamshoro/Hyderabad on September 29 and 30, where the programme will conclude with screenings and a live musical performance.
Beyond film screenings, the 2026 festival includes immersive and interactive activities. The EU Delegation has highlighted installations such as the EUFF-Pakistan Express train installation, Wall of Fame, Human Slot Game, Reading Nook and Kids’ Corner.
A Filmmakers’ Mixer and industry programme are also part of this year’s wider festival activities. The festival’s organisers describe cinema as a way of creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to connect and engage with one another.
Through films and related activities, audiences can encounter different cultural perspectives while discussing common human experiences.
The arrival of the festival in Sialkot also provides a cultural opportunity for students and young people. Hosting activities at Government College Women University brings international cinema into a university environment, allowing students and local audiences to participate in cultural activities close to their community.
The European Film Festival therefore goes beyond a conventional series of screenings. Its programme combines cinema with conversations, performances and interactive experiences, creating opportunities for cultural engagement between European and Pakistani audiences.
The Sialkot edition will continue through September 17, before the festival moves to its next destination.
Through its travelling format, the 2026 EUFF continues its stated objective of expanding cinematic experiences and using film to encourage cultural connection and dialogue across Pakistan.
