Photo courtesy of Cine Europa
At the Shangri-la Plaza in Mandaluyong, Cine Europa 2026 returns for its 29th edition.
This May, Cine Europa returns to Shangri-La Plaza for its 29th edition. A partnership between the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Shangri-la Plaza Corporation, the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, the EU Member States Embassies, and the EU Cultural Institutes, Cine Europa will run from May 28 to July 4, 2026.
In total, this year’s edition features 17 feature films and three documentaries from various EU Member States, which will be screened in Metro Manila, Tacloban, and Cagayan de Oro. From historical dramas to comedies, here are the films screening at Cine Europa 2026 in Shangri-La Plaza.
The Waves (2019)
From Czech comes The Waves, a film set during the Prague Spring of 1948 and the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia. It follows the story of journalists at Czechoslovak Radio as they attempt to broadcast uncensored information while under surveillance and political pressure.
When to watch: 6:00 P.M., May 28 (Thursday)
Summer is Crazy (2025)
Finland puts forward Summer is Crazy, a story that follows the dreams and disappointments of one family and their friends and lovers during the midsummer week.
When to watch: 6:00 P.M., June 2 (Tuesday)
Hidden People (2025)
Slovenia picks the Hidden People, a film about Guti, a struggling Slovenian man, and Sig, an Icelandic tourist suffering from memory loss, who wake up handcuffed together on a riverbank near Ljubljana.
When to watch: 12:30 P.M., May 31 (Sunday)
Four Mothers (2024)
Ireland chooses Four Mothers, a film following a novelist on the verge of success who suddenly finds himself responsible for not only his own mother, but also for her elderly friends.
When to watch: 3:30 P.M., May 29 (Friday)
Heads or Fails (2024)
From Belgium comes Heads or Fails, a movie that tells the story of individuals caught in cycles of risk-taking and uncertain choices, where each decision carries lasting consequences.
When to watch: 8:30 P.M., June 2 (Tuesday)
Sleeping with a Tiger (2024)
Austria presents Sleeping with a Tiger, a biographical drama about Austrian painter Maria Lassnig, tracing the different stages of her life as she develops her artistic vision.
When to watch: 5:20 P.M. June 3 (Wednesday)
Peacock (2024)
Also coming from Austria is Peacock, a film that follows Matthias, a professional “rent-a-companion” who can be hired to play any role, such as a cultured boyfriend, a perfect son, or a social partner for various situations.
When to watch: 3:00 P.M. June 1 (Monday)
The Dance Club (2025)
Coming from Sweden, The Dance Club is a film about a group of misfit patients at a psychiatric clinic who form an unlikely alliance, The Dance Club. There, they ask a radical question: are there ways to heal that don’t involve pills and labels?
When to watch: 8:00 P.M. June 1 (Monday)
Lampo the Travelling Dog (2023)
From Poland comes Lampo the Travelling Dog, a Polish family adventure film about the friendship between a sick girl and a dog that rides trains across the country.
When to watch: 1:00 P.M., May 29 (Friday)
Loss of Balance (2024)
Poland presents Loss of Balance, a film following Maja, a young acting student, nearing graduation, who struggles with self-doubt and uncertainty about her future.
When to watch: 12:30 P.M., June 3 (Wednesday)
Afire (2023)
Germany chooses Afire, which tells the story of a group of young people spending a hot summer by the Baltic Sea as nearby forest fires slowly encroach on their surroundings.
When to watch: 5:30 P.M., May 30 (Saturday)
Maricel (2025)
From Cyprus comes Maricel, a story of a Filipina domestic worker hired to care for an elderly couple in a remote mountain village.
When to watch: 3:00 P.M., May 30 (Saturday)
Gloria! (2024)
Chosen by Italy, Gloria! is a film set in a women’s institution in Venice at the end of the 18th century. It follows Teresa, a young servant with an extraordinary musical talent, who begins experimenting with music in unconventional ways, challenging the rigid structures imposed on them.
When to watch: 3:00 P.M., June 3 (Wednesday)
Sentimental Value (2025)
From the EU Delegation comes the Oscar-winning film, Sentimental Value, which follows an aging filmmaker who attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter by casting her in his next film.
When to watch: 5:30 P.M., May 29 (Friday)
How Could I Live Without You (2024)
Hungary presents How Could I Live Without You, a film following the story of Lili, a young woman coping with loss, who discovers her mother’s diary and old love letters.
When to watch: 5:30 P.M., June 1 (Monday)
Campamento garra de oso (2025)
From Spain, Campamento garra de oso is a film about Maia, an imaginative and lively girl, and Jan, a fearful city boy, who race against time to save the summer camp threatened by eccentric builder Sebastián Sebastián.
When to watch: 12:30 P.M., May 30 (Saturday)
Un Ours Fans La Jura (2024)
France opts for Un Ours Fans La Jura, a film that follows a struggling couple whose lives take an unexpected turn after a car accident leads them to discover a large sum of money.
When to watch: 7:40 P.M., June 3 (Wednesday)
Andy Warhol: American Dream (2023)
Slovakia presents Andy Warhol: American Dream, a documentary that traces the journey of Andy Warhol, exploring the cultural and spiritual roots that shaped his life and work.
When to watch: 3:00 P.M., June 2 (Tuesday)
Nasty (2024)
From Romania, Nasty is a documentary about Ilie Nǎstase, the Romanian tennis player. The film charts his achievements on the court and his unpredictable personality.
When to watch: 12:30 P.M., June 2 (Tuesday)
A Simple Soldier (2025)
Ukraine selects A Simple Soldier, a documentary following an ordinary man drawn into the harsh realities of frontline service.
When to watch: 8:00 P.M., May 31 (Sunday)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cine Europa?
Cine Europa is the longest-running European film festival in the Philippines. It is presented by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines alongside various EU member states and partner institutions. It aims to strengthen cultural dialogue and showcase Europe’s creativity, diversity, and storytelling excellence.
When did Cine Europa begin?
Cine Europa began in 1998, launched by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines as a cultural gift to celebrate the Philippine centennial.
Is Cine Europa free?
Yes, Cine Europa admission is free of charge. Tickets and seating are strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit Cine Europa’s official social media pages.
