EU to sponsor European Film Festival in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia is to host a European Film Festival aimed at boosting cultural ties, sponsored by the European Union. Starting on Friday, some 19 films will be shown in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, including the award-winning British movie 'Bend it Like Beckham' which depicts Asian life in the UK. “We are hoping to familiarise the Ethiopian public with the European film culture," EU spokesman Mairegu Bezabih told IRIN. “It can show people here what European culture is like. Film really is the best medium for doing this. We want to boost our cultural ties.” The EU is also urging potential Ethiopian filmmakers to contribute to the 2005 pan-African film festival due to be held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. It is offering financial support to filmmakers who want to participate in the renowned festival. Although Ethiopia’s film industry is in its infancy, director Haile Gerima has won critical acclaim for his 1994 film 'Sankofa' and 'Adwa - An African victory'. Sankofa, which depicts the horrors of slavery, won the Agip Grand Award in 1993 at the African Film Festival in Milan, Italy. Ambassador Teshome Toga, Ethiopia's Minister for Youth, Culture and Sport, is expected to open the festival which will start with the Greek film 'The Only Journey of His Life'. The EU has long supported cultural ties with the third world and supports the film industry across Africa.