Australia’s popular Europa! Europa Film Festival turns five in 2026 and it’s put on a startling growth spurt. Previously confined to Sydney and Melbourne, it’s now also screening in Brisbane, Hobart and even Auckland in New Zealand too.
The 2026 Europa! Europa program features 43 films from 22 countries, starting on February 19 and running through to March (details for each city are at the bottom of this post).
What inspired the broadened format? The festival’s artistic director, Spiro Economopoulos, takes up the story. “It really has come down to audience demand, and we’re thrilled. Over the past five years, we’ve seen a genuine increase in interest for European Cinema beyond the major east coast cities.”
The travel bug effect
Travel, he says, has played a big role in the growing appetite for European cinema. “People are travelling again, especially our young people, and that sense of worldly curiosity has definitely returned. It’s really great to see.
“It’s important to respond to that momentum. European cinema is so vast, and reflects such a wide range of languages and histories, we want those stories to resonate as widely as possible.
Europa! Europa’s scope for expansion
Is there potential for growth and more host cities taking part? (I’m looking at you, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra. Wellington and Christchurch too.) “Absolutely!” says Spiro. ” What’s so unique about Europa is that, for many of these films, this will be the only chance audiences have to see them on the big screen.
“It’ll be exciting to see how audiences in Brisbane, Hobart and Auckland embrace the festival and then we can take things from there. The festival is growing in a really exciting way, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what our new audiences think. “
Hands up who wants to organise a jazz spectacular … Mala Emde as Vera Brandes in Koln75
Your ticket to 22 countries
Which parts of Europe feature at the 2026 Europa! Europa Film Festival? In alphabetical order: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Which ones should you see? The best person to answer that is Spiro himself. “There are so many fantastic films to look forward to this year,” he says. “A Magnificent Life [a France, Belgium and Luxembourg co-production, in French, pictured at top] is such a beautiful film and one I really fell in love with. It’s directed by Sylvie Sham and centres on Marcel Pagnol, a hugely influential figure in French cinema. It’s an animated tribute to his life, his childhood and his legacy – a real must watch.
Another one I’m really excited about is Cologne 75 [Köln 75]. It’s based on the true story of a young girl who becomes a concert promoter, leading to a performance that went on to become one of the most successful live concerts ever [jazz pianist Keith Jarrett’s improvised solo performance at the Opera House in Cologne, Germany, in January 1975.] It’s fun, fascinating, and a great snapshot of that era. The cast is wonderful too.”
The Southern Chronicles is Lithuania’s highest grossing film ever.
New voices to take note of
“I’m also really excited about the new voices coming out of Eastern and Central Europe,” says Spiro. “We’ve got the vibrant Estonian comedy Rolling Papers, and The Southern Chronicles, which became Lithuania’s biggest-ever box office hit. Both are incredibly interesting films.
“And of course, opening night with The Testament of Ann Lee [a UK/USA co-production] feels very special. Mona Fastvold’s films are always brilliant, and this one is particularly bold. Amanda Seyfried stars as the founder of the Shaker Movement in this musical, a very striking film.”
The big themes of Europa! Europa 2026
“Europa is really about community and cultural diversity this year,” says Spiro. “There’s such a wide range of bold, intimate, funny and deeply rich films that come to life on the big screen. We just want to continue creating a space where great cinema can be shared and talked about, and people leave feeling moved, challenged, or just happy to have gone. It’s so important to keep hearing voices from across Europe that reflect the diversity of who we are here in Australia.
There are a few threads running through the program that feel particularly timely, he adds. “A lot of stories are about people navigating change, loss or uncertainty, often against the backdrop of larger systems or histories. You can feel that in films coming out of Eastern and Central Europe in particular, but it’s present across the program in different ways.
“At the same time, there’s so much beauty in these films. Even when they’re grappling with unrest, there’s tenderness and humour. Films like Primavera and Chopin, a Sonata in Paris celebrate art, memory and creativity, even in turbulent times.
“There’s also a strong interest in identity and belonging. Quite a few of the films are asking how people live with the past and find meaning within changing cultural landscapes. You see that in the biographical films, the retrospectives, and in quieter character studies like Renovation. It’s a really diverse selection and there are themes that will resonate with everyone.”
Need to know
Europa! Europa’s participating cinemas for 2026 are:
MELBOURNE: Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick; Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn (both February 19 to March 19) and Cameo Cinemas, Belgrave, February 20 to March 2)
SYDNEY: Ritz Cinemas, Randwick, February 19 to March 19
BRISBANE: Angelika Cinemas, Woolloongabba, February 19 to March 1
HOBART: State Cinema, February 19 to March 1
AUCKLAND: Bridgeway Cinemas, February 19 to March 4
My Five Romances will have more on the festival once we’ve seen a few films, focusing particularly on the world’s major Romance languages – French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. Our fifth Romance, Romanian, doesn’t feature this year, but it’s had a good run in the past, and there is always next year to look forward to. M5R
