The press conference for European Union Film Festival 2018 was held earlier today.

9 Oct – 2018 marks the 19th edition of the European Union Film Festival (EUFF) in Malaysia, set to take place from October to December.

A total of 21 award-winning movies from 17 European countries will be shown at this year's EUFF, including 8 movies that will be screened for free.

H.E. Maria Castillo Fernandez, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, said at the press conference held earlier today at GSC Mid Valley that they have chosen movies that could be of interest to Malaysian audiences.

She also expressed her hope that through these movies, Malaysians, especially the younger generation, will get to learn more about Europe.

"Europe has never been just one, but many. Through EUFF, we hope not just to promote Europe's cultural diversity but also diversity at the centre of the international cultural relations, as this is an important part of the EU's role as a global actor," she added.

(L-R) H.E. Pascal Gregoire, H.E. Frederic Laplanche, H.E. Krzysztof Debnicki, H.E. Eamon Hickey, H.E. Maria Castillo Fernandez and H.E. Attila Kali at the EUFF 2018 press conference.

Hungary's representative movie is among the 8 titles that are to be screened for free, the other 7 being "Anka" (Croatia), "Friends by Chance" (Italy), "Quo Vado?" (Italy), "Miss Kiet's Children" (Netherlands), "Selfie" (Romania), "Breaking News" (Romania), and "My Big Night" (Spain).

Coupons for the free movies are available for download on EUFF's website, while tickets for other EUFF titles are priced at RM8.50 (normal seats) each and can be purchased at participating GSC outlets.

This year, since a movie on famous painter Van Gogh is part of the EUFF lineup, the Embassy of the Netherlands has organised art workshops for refugee children in Malaysia. The Van Gogh-inspired paintings will be displayed at the launch of EUFF in KL on 17 October.

A silent auction will also be held and the proceeds will go to aid refugee children.

Organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, with Cinema Online as its media partner once again, this year's EUFF marks a new chapter as it will be held for the first time in Johor Bahru.

EUFF 2018 will open at GSC Mid Valley and GSC Pavilion KL from 18 to 28 October.

Next month, the film festival continues at GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang, from 1 to 7 November and makes its inaugural visit to GSC Paradigm Mall JB, Johor, from 15 to 18 November.

Over in East Malaysia, the film festival will be held at GSC CityONE, Kuching, from 22 to 28 November, and last but not least, at GSC Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, from 6 to 12 December.