Media Release: European Union Film Festival Wraps Up 30th Edition

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The Canadian Film Institute (CFI), the Delegation of the European Union to Canada and the Embassies of EU Member States have wrapped up the 30th annual European Film Festival (EUFF) for another year.

WireService.ca Media Release (12/17/2015) Ottawa, ON - Enthusiasm has been fantastic, and a special change in venue to the ByTowne Cinema, the first presentation of a feature film from Malta, as well as the sale of beer and wine, were clearly welcome additions to mark a successful 30th anniversary.

Congratulations to all European Union Member States for their participation and contributions to the Festival. The films scored an average audience rating of 4.15 out of 5 stars, reflecting the high quality of cinema that each Member State brought to Ottawa.

The EUFF is pleased to announce that the winner of our first ever Audience Choice Award is THE FENCER (Vehkleja) from ESTONIA. This internationally co-produced (Estonia/Finland/Germany) Klaus Härö drama is based on the true story of the Endel Nelis, an Estonian fencing champion who arrives at the small town of Haapsalu after World War II to become a PE teacher. Despite facing disapproval from his superiors, he begins to instruct the children in fencing and soon discovers teaching as a passion. THE FENCER is nominated for the 2016 Golden Globe Awards, and has been submitted for consideration as Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.

The EUFF would like to thank all sponsors, supporters, staff, volunteers and of course our loyal audiences for the continued support.

The Canadian Film Institute (CFI) was incorporated in 1935 as a federally-chartered, nongovernmental, non-profit cultural organization. It is the oldest film institution in Canada and the second oldest film institute in the world. More information can be found online at www.cfi-icf.ca.

The European Union Delegation to Canada is a fully-fledged diplomatic mission with a public diplomacy mandate designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the European Union as well as EU-Canada relations. The EU Ambassador represents the European Union in Canada. The EU Delegation marks its 40th anniversary in 2016.

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For more information contact CFI Media Coordinator Maggie McPhail (media@cfi-icf.ca) at 613-232-6727 or EU Delegation Press Officer Diodora Bucur (Diodora.bucur@eeas.europa.eu) at 613-563-6354.