The launch of European Union Film Festival 2018 was held yesterday evening at GSC Pavilion KL.

18 Oct – With "Loving Vincent" as the opening film of this year's European Union Film Festival (EUFF) in Malaysia, it was only apt that an exhibition of Van Gogh-inspired paintings were held during the film festival's launch yesterday evening.

A silent auction was also held for the paintings, which were done by refugee children living in Malaysia at the art workshops held by the Embassy of the Netherlands, and the proceeds will go to aid refugee schools.

"Loving Vincent" was understandably picked as the opening film as the movie, a co-production of Poland, France and the Netherlands, embodies the unity that the EU stands for.

EUFF 2018's opening film was the biopic of Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh.

H.E. Maria Castillo Fernandez giving her welcome speech.

"These are 21 windows of Europe," H.E. Maria Castillo Fernandez, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, said of the movies from 17 European countries that are picked for this year's EUFF.

"You will see today the first of the 21 journey to Europe, a voyage through a variety of familiarity, this is unity in diversity and Malaysians also know about unity in diversity, so we're very privileged that we can host the EU film festival again in a country that welcomes cultural diversity."

Among the attendees at yesterday's launch at GSC Pavilion KL were GSC CEO Ms. Koh Mei Lee; H.E. Pascal Gregoire, Ambassador of Belgium to Malaysia; H.E. Frederic Laplanche, Ambassador of France to Malaysia; H.E. Eamon Hickey, Ambassador of Ireland to Malaysia; and Y.B. DR. Ong Kian Ming, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry.

The exhibition of Van Gogh-inspired paintings was part of the launching ceremony.

Guests were welcome to join the silent auction for the paintings.

Out of the 21 movies, 8 will be screened for free and the coupons for it can be downloaded from EUFF's website.

Tickets for the rest of the EUFF 2018 movies are priced at RM8.50 (normal seats) each and can be purchased at participating GSC cinemas.

From today until 28 October, the film festival will take place at GSC Mid Valley and GSC Pavilion KL.

The film festival moves on to GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang, from 1 to 7 November and will be held for the first time at GSC Paradigm Mall JB, Johor, from 15 to 18 November.

It will then make its way to GSC CityONE, Kuching, from 22 to 28 November, and GSC Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, from 6 to 12 December.

Get more info and showtimes for the European Union Film Festival 2018 right HERE.