Mbabane – The European Union Film Festival 2025 opened today, 18 September, at the Mbabane Theatre Club, marking the start of a four-day celebration of local and international cinema. Screenings will continue until Sunday, 21 September, with free entry for all audiences.
This year’s festival is held under the theme Youth, addressing issues such as skills development, creativity, entrepreneurship, identity, sexuality and mental health. In line with the theme, three local short films produced using smartphones will also be showcased, including Regret and Where the F is Nosi.
Today’s programme began at 4pm with three back-to-back screenings. Among them is Madison, an Austrian feature directed by Kim Strobl, which tells a story rooted in hope and unity. French short film Thermostat 6 by Maya Av-Ron, Mylène Cominotti, Marion Coudert and Sixtine Dano is also on the schedule. 
The festival is supported by the European Union in partnership with Alliance Française de Mbabane, together with the embassies of Switzerland, France, Finland, Italy, Ireland, Austria and Sweden.
Festival programme
Thursday 18 September – Mbabane Theatre Club
- 16:30 – Thermostat 6 (France)
- 17:00 – Madison (Austria)
- 17:30 – A Fast Friendship (Austria)
Friday 19 September – Alliance Française de Mbabane
- 12:00 – Children’s hour
- 13:30 – L’Ordre Divin (Switzerland)
- 15:30 – Magari (Italy)
- 17:30 – The Boy on the Bridge (Cyprus)
Saturday 20 September – Alliance Française de Mbabane
- 12:00 – Children’s hour
- 13:30 – Home & Away (Finland)
- 15:30 – The Kingdom in the Sky (Lesotho)
- 15:30 – Regret (Eswatini)
- 16:30 – I Am Zlatan (Sweden)
- 17:00 – Madison (Austria)
- 19:30 – Where the F is Nosi (Eswatini)
Sunday 21 September – Alliance Française de Mbabane
- 12:00 – Children’s hour
- 13:30 – Les Choristes (France)
Audiences are encouraged to attend as entry remains free throughout the four-day festival. More information is available at +268 2404 3667 or via email at info@afmbabane.org.
