And Now, Here’s A Treat For Kenyan Movie Lovers
Cinema lovers in Kenya will be able to sample 15 diverse European cultures as well as NESCAFÉ coffee at the 2014 European Film Festival, Nestlé Kenya Limited and festival organizers have confirmed.
Guests at this year’s festival will be served with a delicious cup of NESCAFÉ before the screening of the first film between 4.00 and 6pm on weekdays. “Coffee helps lift your mood and revive your senses. Hence our partnership promises all attendees proper stimulation of body and mind as well as maximum concentration before the start of every film. It all starts with a NESCAFÉ,” said Svetlana Obruchkova, Nestlé Kenya Managing Director.
The 23rd edition of the European Film Festival which opened on Tuesday 13th May to 1st June 2014 at the ‘Wangari Maathai’ auditorium at Alliance Française, will showcase a multi-cultural and an interactive 21st century Europe.
“The 2014 Festival is a singular rendezvous for lovers of cinema and a unique opportunity to experience Europe’s diverse cultures, histories and perspectives,” said Harsita Waters, Head of Cultural Affairs, Alliance Française De Nairobi.
She, further added, “With many award winning films on the programme -like the
‘La Grande Bellezza’ (The Great Beauty) from Italy, winner of the 2014 Oscar for the Best Foreign Language Film and ‘The Hunt’ from Denmark, winner of the Best Actor Award at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival –we believe that this year’s festival will attract more film lovers who will have the opportunity of connecting with a multicultural Europe of the 21st century.”
The festival has been averaging over 4,500 attendees in the last couple of years while 1,000 people turn up between the three community screenings which will this year take place in Mathare, Baba Dogo and Korogocho/Kariobangi on Saturdays 17th, 24th and 31st of May respectively.
“For the first time, a Ciné-Concert will be on the programme with the duo ‘The Bridge of Flavours.’ France will also present another first, a Ciné-Concert by the duo of Julien Petit, saxophonist and Guillaume Cherpitel, pianist, set to two silent films from the early 20th century,” said Waters.
A total of 20 critically acclaimed films from 14 European countries and 2 films from the ACP-European Union support programme for the ACP cultural sector will be on the menu for this 23rd edition of the European Film Festival. After Nairobi, the Festival will move to the Alliances Françaises in Mombasa (4th to 14th June), Kisumu (20th to 22nd June) and Eldoret (27th to 29th June).
“The community screenings launched in 2012 will continue with screenings in Mathare, Baba Dogo and Korogocho/Kariobangi on Saturdays 17th, 24th and 31st of May respectively. These screenings will be organized in collaboration with VOCAL (Voices for Change All Over) that engages youth in the Eastland slums of Nairobi, using the arts for development and social change,” said Waters.
Participating countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and while Switzerland will be the guest country.
