The 29th European Union Film Festival (EUFF) kicked off in New Delhi with a packed screening of La Chimera, a film that was a contender for the prestigious Palme d'Or. The film takes viewers on a captivating journey through life and the afterlife, urban landscapes and nature, festivity and solitude, exploring the intertwined fates of its characters, each in pursuit of their elusive Chimera. The festival, known for showcasing 26 award-winning films in 31 languages, is being held across three prominent venues in New Delhi: the India Habitat Centre, Instituto Cervantes, and Goethe Institute. It has become one of the most anticipated cultural events in India.

On opening night, the Stein Auditorium at the India Habitat Centre buzzed with excitement as cinephiles gathered, eagerly waiting to experience the festival’s first film. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, as attendees exchanged thoughts on recent movie releases and social media handles, eagerly awaiting the screening of La Chimera.

The event was graced by notable figures such as Hervé Delphin, the Ambassador of the European Union to India, Italian actress Yile Yara Vianello, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute Andrea Anastasio, and Lithuanian director Tomas Vengris. These prominent personalities added to the glamour of the festival, which attracts a diverse audience each year, celebrating the best of European cinema.

Despite the lingering haze in Delhi post-Diwali, the excitement at the festival remained palpable. The audience, a mix of passionate moviegoers, discussed the works of celebrated directors like Alice Rohrwacher and Josh O’Connor, with a shared sense of eagerness for the cinematic gems this year’s festival would offer. Delhi’s film buffs have developed a taste for stories that diverge from the typical Bollywood fare, preferring the more nuanced, artistic films from Europe.

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