Poland in South Africa

Poland, which is taking part in this event for the ninth time, presented this year a feature film from 2022, "EO" directed by Jerzy Skolimowski. The film "EO" is one of the most award-winning works of Jerzy Skolimowski. At the 2022 Cannes Festival, it won both the Jury Award and the Paweł Mykietyn Award for composer. Moreover, the film won the European Film Award for the best film and composer. Critics from Los Angeles gave the award to cinematographer Michał Dymek, and "EO" was also chosen the best film by New York critics and critics from Los Angeles. The film screening took place on Sunday, October 15 at Ster-Kinekor's "The Zone" cinema in Johannesburg and "The Labia" in Cape Town.

As in previous years, the festival enjoys great interest and success. South African viewers have a rare opportunity to see the rich achievements of European cinema. A rich film program will interest all cinema lovers. For Poland, the festival provides an excellent opportunity to present the artistic achievements of our country, which are still insufficiently recognized in South Africa.

During the festival, which will last until October 23, 2023, a number of outstanding European films honoured with prestigious awards at major international film festivals will be presented. The European Film Festival 2023 is held in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union, Cineuropa, Creative WorkZone, Ster-Kinekor, Labia Theater, and embassies and cultural institutes from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, Ukraine, Great Britain and Italy.

The main theme of this year's festival is "Transition", as the films are a cinematic reflection of the changes that people go through in our turbulent and rapidly changing times.

In her statement, EU Ambassador to South Africa Sandra Kramer emphasized that "the 2023 European Film Festival will not only present some of the most acclaimed productions to emerge from the film industry in the European Union and Europe, but these films will provide thought-provoking perspective on issues that are as important to South Africans as they are to people around the world. She expressed hope that this cultural event would strengthen links between Europe and South Africa and its immediate neighbours Eswatini and Lesotho. He also hopes that the festival will stimulate discussion and new ideas around our shared experiences, hopes and dreams as we face our ever-changing world together.”

Festival director and curator Peter Rorvik emphasized that “there can be many transitional moments in life; awakening, awakening, renewal of purpose, understanding ourselves, who we are and our direction in life. Transition is essentially a response to change, a process of managing or effecting change.”