The opening night featured a surprise film, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, which was partially filmed 34 years ago in the Viteška dvorana and Brežice Castle. This dark comedy-drama is a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's play Hamlet, based on a novel by Tom Stoppard.
A highlight of the evening was the appearance of the film's actors, who greeted the audience at the end of the screening and reminisced about their experiences from 34 years ago.
The guest of honor at the opening was the President of the National Assembly, Urška Klakočar Zupančič.
In her speech, the President emphasized the significance of the festival for Brežice: "I am delighted that we are here today celebrating the opening of the first European Film Festival. Brežice has rightly established itself as a film city. In the past, we were the location for numerous film shoots in the 1980s and 1990s, and many locals continue to work in the film industry. With this festival, we aim to present high-quality European films to both the local community and the wider public."
Aleš Pavlin, founder and program director of the festival, highlighted the uniqueness of the event: "We have ten films in the festival, offering a broad spectrum of European film production. We are also proud of the special evening dedicated to Radko Polič, featuring the film I Remember Only Happy Days. The director and the other lead actor from the film will be present, as well as Radko Polič's long-time film partner, Milena Zupančič."
The festival began on Thursday with the screenings of Svetlejša prihodnost by Italian director Nanni Moretti and I Remember Only Happy Days by Croatian director Nevio Marasović.
Friday's lineup includes three films: Srečno naključje by Woody Allen, Nič kalorij by Jessica Hausner, and Varuhi formule by Dragan Bjelogrlić.
The climax of the festival on Saturday will feature four films: Detective Tabo and the Rhino Case by Mare Eibl-Eibesfeldt, Second Act by Quentin Dupieux, Gepack by Žiga Kukovič, and The Old Oak by Ken Loach. The festival will close with a concert by Funk Parker and the presentation of the audience award at the Youth Center Brežice.
