Cine Europa makes early return this May; Slovakia debuts with Andy Warhol docu

One of the country’s longest running foreign language film festivals makes an early return this year as the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines together with the EU Member States and the EU Cultural Institutes present Cine Europa 29 happening on May 28 up to July 4, 2026.

For the film festival’s 29th edition, a diverse selection of 20 full length films, including 3 documentaries, will be screened in partner venues in Metro Manila, Tacloban, and Cagayan de Oro. Slovakia joins the festival for the very first time offering a documentary about pop art icon Andy Warhol. On the other hand, Ukraine continues to be a guest country at the festival underscoring EU’s continued support for the nation.

Here is the selection of films in detail for Cine Europa 29.

Andy Warhol: American Dream (Slovakia, 2023)

Director: Ľubomír Slivka

The documentary traces the extraordinary journey of Andy Warhol, the son of poor immigrants from the Carpathian region, who rose from a Slovak-Rusyn community in Pittsburgh to become one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Beyond the well-known myth of the pop-art icon, the film explores the cultural and spiritual roots that shaped his life and work.

Campamento Garra de Oso | Bear Claw Camp (Spain, 2025)

Director: Sílvia Quer

Cast: Anabel Alonso, Carlos Latre, Edu Soto, Júlia Raya, Martín Abelló

The film is 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. In their mission, they relentlessly search for a bear they believe still inhabits the valley but remains unseen, aided by Fritz, a funny and grumpy talking skunk which will accompany them in this life-changing adventure.

The Dance Club (Sweden, 2025)

Director: Lisa Langseth

Cast: Nils Wetterholm, Matias Varela, Alva Bratt, Julia Franzén, Pernilla August, Evelyn Mok

Johannes, an eccentric psychology student, takes us on a twisted journey. Together with performance artist Rakel, he forms an unconventional club with his patients to help them fight back against those who have caused them pain. As the club grows, Johannes struggles to keep it together, while inconveniently falling head over heels for Rakel.

Four Mothers (Ireland, 2024)

Director: Darren Thornton

Cast: James McArdle, Fionnula Flanagan, Dearbhla Molloy, Paddy Glynn, Stella McCusker, Niamh Cusack

Edward, a novelist saddled with caring for his elderly mother, finally finds himself on the brink of literary success. Busy with the demands of his upcoming book tour, the last thing Edward needs is his friends leaving their mothers on his doorstep! Over a chaotic weekend, he has to juggle his burgeoning career with the care of four eccentric, combative, and wildly different ladies.

Gloria! (Italy, 2024)

Director: Margherita Vicario

Cast: Galatea Bellugi, Carlotta Gamba, Veronica Lucchesi, Maria Vittoria Dallasta, Sara Mafodda, Paolo Rossi, Stefano Roberto Belisari aka Elio, Natalino Balasso, Anita Kravos, Vincenzo Crea, Jasmin Mattei

Set in a girls' boarding school in Venice at the end of the 18th century, Gloria! tells the story of Teresa, a young visionary, who, together with a small group of extraordinary musicians, crosses the centuries and challenges the dusty catafalques of the Ancien Régime by inventing rebellious, light and modern music. Pop!

Head or Fails | Aimer Perdre (Belgium, 2024)

Directors: Lenny Guit, Harpo Guit

Cast: Maria Cavalier Bazan, Melvil Poupaud, Catherine Ringer, Axel Perin, Michael Zindel, Maxi Delmelle

Unemployed and up to her eyeballs in debt, 26-year-old Armande Pigeon is struggling in Brussels. On top of that, she has a penchant for gambling and doesn't hesitate to take risks because for Armande, all bets are good. All except one, perhaps the craziest bet she is still struggling to take: love.

Hidden People | Skriti Ljudje (Slovenia, 2025)

Director: Miha Hočevar

Cast: Blaz Sef, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Luka Marčetič, Barbara Ribnikar, Ana Urbanc, Igor Samobor

The film follows Guti, a struggling Slovenian man, and Sig, an Icelandic tourist suffering from memory loss, who wake up handcuffed together on a riverbank near Ljubljana. Blending absurd humour with emotional depth, the film portrays an unexpected friendship between two outsiders while reflecting on displacement, social marginalisation, and the search for belonging in contemporary Europe.

How Could I Live Without You? | Hogyan tudnék élni nélküled? (Hungary, 2024)

Director: Dénes Orosz

Cast: Franciska Töröcsik, Márk Ember, Péter Marics, Luca Márkus, Marcell Kirády, Harmat Kovács

Lili reads her mother Eszter’s diary and love letters, revealing Eszter’s summer romance with Geri, a musician, at Lake Balaton in the 1990s, defying her commitment to her boyfriend, impacting their lives and Lili’s.

Lampo the Travelling Dog | O psie, który jezdzil koleja (Poland, 2023)

Director: Magdalena Niec

Cast: Mateusz Damiecki, Dariusz Jakubowski, Kamila Jankowska, Joanna Jarmolowicz, Milena Lisiecka, Malgorzata Pieczynska, Monika Pikula, Adam Woronowicz, Liliana Zajbert

Get to know the story of Lampo – as faithful as Lassie, brave as Bella and funny as Beethoven, who from the time he was a puppy felt drawn to great adventure and touched millions of hearts with his rail journeys.

Loss of Balance | Utrata równowagi (Poland, 2024)

Director: Korek Bojanowski

Cast: Nel Kaczmarek, Maria Wróbel, Mikolaj Matczak, Oskar Rybaczek, Tomasz Schuchardt

Maja has devoted her entire life to acting, but she does not believe in her abilities. Therefore, after graduating from acting, he plans to apply for marketing and management. Everything changes when a new director crosses Maja’s path.

Maricel (Cyprus, 2025)

Director: Elias Demetriou

Cast: Zar Donato, Ntinos Lyras, Lenia Sorocou, Diomedes Koufteros, Daphne Alexander

A Filipino domestic worker is called to take care of an elderly couple in a Cypriot mountain village. What begins as a simple caregiving task gradually exposes a web of silent resentment, emotional dependency and unspoken histories, forcing her into the delicate, unsettling space between obligation and intimacy.

Nasty (Romania, 2024)

Directors: Tudor Giurgiu, Tudor D. Popescu, Cristian Pascariu

1972 was a turning point in Ilie Nastase’s career: winning US Open, reaching Wimbledon and Davis Cup finals. A portray of his victories, controversies, rebellious persona challenging tennis norms, and his influence as a tennis rebel icon.

Un ours dans le Jura | How to Make a Killing (France, 2024)

Director: Franck Dubosc

Cast: Franck Dubosc, Laure Calamy, Benoît Poelvoorde, Joséphine de Meaux, Kim Higelin, Emmanuelle Devos, Mehdi Meskar, Anne Le Ny, Anne-Lise Heimburger

Michael and Cathy accidentally witness a triple murder in the woods on Christmas Eve. A bag with two million euros and a pistol falls into their hands. In order to throw off suspicion, they are ready to accept the craziest ideas, without even knowing what absurdity they will result in.

Peacock | Pfau (Austria, 2024)

Director: Bernhard Wenger

Cast: Albrecht Schuch, Julia Franz Richter, Anton Noori, Maria Hofstätter, Theresa Frostad Eggesbø, Branko Samarovski, Salka Weber, Tilo Nest

Matthias is a master of his profession. Do you need a ‘cultured boyfriend’ to impress your friends? A ‘perfect son’ to influence your business partners’ opinion of you? Or maybe just a sparring partner to rehearse an argument? Whatever it is, just rent Matthias. While he excels at pretending to be someone else every day, just being himself is the real challenge.

Roter Himmel | Afire (Germany, 2023)

Director: Christian Petzold

Cast: Thomas Schubert, Paula Beer, Langston Uibel, Enno Trebs, Matthias Brandt

Leon and Felix’s plan was to spend the summer together in a holiday home on the Baltic coast. They wanted to be there as friends but also to work – one on his second book, the other assembling his art portfolio. But Nadja and Devid are also there, and they bring lots of positive vibes with them. Four young people experimenting with love, even though this does not come easy to Leon. His unfinished manuscript haunts him wherever he goes, whether he is at the summerhouse or the beach. The others’ good mood often causes his to plummet. A visit from his publisher is imminent. But, as the latter arrives in his nifty small car, the forest begins to blaze. It rains ash, the sky turns red, and a relationship-drama that merges physical intensity and artistic sublimation takes a turn into a new dimension.

Sentimental Value | Affeksjonsverdi (EU Parliament, 2025)

Director: Joachim Trier

Cast: Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas

The film follows an aging filmmaker who attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter by casting her in his next film. As they navigate unresolved tensions and emotional distance, the project becomes a deeply personal exploration of memory, grief, and the complexities of family relationships. Set against a reflective, intimate backdrop, the film examines how art can both heal and reopen wounds, blending meta-cinema with a poignant study of reconciliation and identity.

A Simple Soldier | Простий солдат (Ukraine, 2025)

Directors: Juan Camilo Cruz, Artem Ryzhykov

A Ukrainian filmmaker joins the army after Russia’s invasion, balancing his duties as a soldier with documenting the war and staying close to his wife. His dual role reveals raw insights into military life, loss, and moral challenges.

Sleeping with a Tiger | Mit einem Tiger schlafen (Austria, 2024)

Director: Anja Salomonowitz

Cast: Birgit Minichmayr, Johanna Orsini-Rosenberg, Maria Nicolini, Lukas Watzl, Oskar Haag, Josef Kleindienst

A painting. Green with conifers, the earthy tones of dry meadows and church walls. In the light streaming through her grandmother’s farmhouse, where Maria Lassnig spends her childhood, shines a cardigan in sky blue for the first time, shining as if not of this world. Growing up in southern Austria, Lassnig is drawn, via Vienna’s Art Academy, into the local post-war art scene. Sky blue, pink, jade green, fleshy red. Taciturn, stubborn among men who like to hear themselves speak, she feels her way into her own body and takes a look at the world. She paints. She films. Mercilessly and mischievously. Doggedly, she develops her career. She knows the value of her painting long before the art world follows suit with its verdict. Birgit Minichmayr embodies Maria Lassnig in Anja Salomonowitz’s filmic homage to the artist across all stages of her life and psychological states, fleshing out the “body awareness” of Lassnig’s art with a physical body that produces the art. An offbeat and complex biopic in hybrid form: acted scenes and documentary sequences interlock. The images are real.

Summer is Crazy | Elämä on juhla (Finland, 2025)

Director: Ulla Heikkilä

Cast: Pirjo Lonka, Aamu Milonoff, Jani Volanen, Ada Pesso, Ulla Tapaninen, Bruno Baer, Jussi Vatanen, Tommi Eronen, Pia Andersson

Set in the Finnish archipelago during the midsummer week, this ensemble film follows the dreams and disappointments of one family and their friends and lovers. After the bankruptcy of their fine dining restaurant, the Eerolas are stuck in the seaside village of Nauvo with no clear plan for the future.

The Waves | Vlny (Czech Republic, 2024)

Director: Jiří Mádl

Cast: Vojtěch Vodochodský, Tatiana a.k.a. Táňa Pauhofová, Stanislav Majer, Ondřej Stupka, Martin Hofmann

Prague, 1968. The International Editorial Office of Czechoslovak Radio is staffed by courageous journalists, celebrities of their time. Young Tomáš works amongst them, though it is his brother's dream job. Tomáš’ main concern is keeping them both safe with no idea that the editors are being targeted by the Secret Service. When a recording is discovered and broadcasting it could change the fate of many, the Secret Service focuses even more intensely on the newsroom. Will Tomas go down in history alongside the journalists or will he protect his younger brother, the last remaining member of his family?

Here is the schedule of screenings at the Red Carpet at Shangri-La Plaza.

May 28, 2026

6:00 PM The Waves (Czech Republic)

May 29, 2026

1:00 PM Lampo the Travelling Dog (Poland)

3:30 PM Four Mothers (Ireland)

5:30 PM Sentimental Value (EU Parliament)

May 30, 2026

12:30 PM Campamento Garra de Oso (Spain)

3:00 PM Maricel (Cyprus)

5:30 PM Rotter Himmel (Germany)

May 31, 2026

12:30 PM Hidden People (Slovenia)

8:00 PM A Simple Soldier (Ukraine)

June 1, 2026

3:00 PM Peacock (Austria)

5:30 PM How Could I Live Without You? (Hungary)

8:00 PM The Dance Club (Sweden)

June 2, 2026

12:30 PM Nasty (Romania)

3:00 PM Andy Warhol: American Dream (Slovakia)

6:00 PM Summer is Crazy (Finland)

8:30 PM Heads of Fails (Belgium)

June 3, 2026

12:30 PM Loss of Balance (Poland)

3:00 PM Gloria! (Italy)

5:20 PM Sleeping with a Tiger (Austria)

7:40 Un ours dans le Jura (France)

After the Red Carpet at Shangri-La Plaza run, Cine Europa 29 will have screenings in Tacloban on June 11-15, 2026, the Rizal Park on June 15-20, 2026, and Cagayan de Oro on June 29-July 4, 2026.

Admission to the film screenings at all venues is for free on a first come, first served basis.

Cine Europa 29 is presented by Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines together with the EU Member States and the EU Cultural Institutes along with partners namely the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Shangri-La Plaza Corporation, Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban, Liceo Cagayan de Oro University, and the National Parks Development Committee.

Entering the Kaleidoscope with Spanish techno and Italian Neoclassical music

As the scent of sandalwood and lavender from a lit candle perfumed the room, I dared to tread a realm of music way outside my comfort zone. With a video playlist totalling almost three hours, I stepped into the world of electronic music courtesy of Spanish DJ Pablo Bolivar and the fusion of neoclassical piano with electronic by Italian DJs Lorenzo Travaglini and Davide Sammarchi of the Bosco Studio collective to immerse myself in the kaleidoscopic experience that is Medium Rare.

Medium Rare is a multi-sensory cultural event of music, gastronomy and art that will hold its latest edition, billed as Kaleidoscope, this May 9, 2026 at the Salon de Ning at The Peninsula Manila.

DJ Chele

Medium Rare, now on its seventh edition, is spearheaded Chele Gonzalez, a fixture in Manila's culinary and creative scene and developed with Samantha Nicole, a prominent figure in the underground music community.

Samantha Nicole

From 7:00 PM until 4:00 AM, the three international artists headline along with a diverse lineup of local DJs transforming Salon de Ning into a space filled with live music, culinary creativity and artistic expression simultaneously. Or simply put, a one-of-a-kind kaleidoscopic experience.

Salon de Ning

Now on to the international guest musicians.

Pablo Bolivar

Hailing from Spain, Pablo Bolivar is internationally known for his deep and atmospheric blending of techno and ambient music. With more than two decades in the underground electronic scene, Bolívar has developed a distinctive sound balancing hypnotic rhythms with emotional melodic structures. He is also the founder of influential labels Seven Villas Music and Avantroots Records, which have played a role in shaping the deeper side of contemporary electronic music.

Bolivar's first professional visit in the country is supported by the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines.

Lorenzo Travaglini

Italian composers and pianists Lorenzo Travaglini and Davide Sammarchi, from the Bosco Studio collective add to the kaledoiscopic experience of Medium Rare with their brand of music exploring the intersection of neoclassical composition and cinematic sound.

Travaglini, founder of Bosco Studio, focuses on emotionally driven piano works that blend classical tradition with modern sonic landscapes.

Davide Sammarchi

Sammarchi complements this approach through atmospheric textures and expressive minimalist structures. Together their performances create immersive musical narratives that move between classical sensitivity and contemporary sound design.

Bosco Studio's first ever Asian visit is supported by the Philippine–Italian Association.

Medium Rare Kaleidoscope edition happens on May 9, 2026, 7:00 PM until 4:00 AM at the Salon de Ning, The Peninsula Manila.

Pianist Kate Liu makes Philippine debut on May 2 at Ayala Museum

Classical piano music lovers in Manila can't help but feel spoiled as yet another Laureate of the XVII International Chopin Piano Competition makes their way to the country. After Tony Yike Yang and Szymon Nehring's performances some months ago, it's now Kate Liu's turn to dazzle audiences in her Philippine debut on May 2, 2026, 7:00 PM at the Ayala Museum

Presented by Veniccio.com, in partnership with MA Piano Academy, Kate Liu's concert will see her perform Frédéric Chopin's 4 Mazurkas, Op. 30 and Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35, Robert Schumann's Arabeske in C major, Op. 18, and Johannes Brahms' Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1.

Kate Liu

Rising to international acclaim after winning Third Prize at the XVII International Fryderyk Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Kate Liu also received the Best Mazurka Prize and the Audience Favorite Prize through the Polish National Radio. Since then, she has toured extensively, performing at world-renowned venues including the Seoul Arts Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Warsaw National Philharmonic, La Maison Symphonique de Montréal, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, and many more.

Kate Liu has collaborated with esteemed orchestras such as the Warsaw Philharmonic, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Cleveland Orchestra, and Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra. She is a regular invitee to the Chopin and His Europe Festival in Warsaw, and in 2024 she was awarded the Olivier Berggruen Prize at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival.

Born in Singapore, Kate Liu began piano studies at age four and trained at the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School, earning her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Artist Diploma. In 2025, she released her debut album featuring Beethoven and Brahms sonatas with Orchid Classics.

Here is a video of Kate Liu from the 3rd round of the XVII International Chopin Piano Competition performing my favorite Chopin piece ever.

Tickets for Kate Liu's concert are available at:

https://www.veniccio.com/products/kate-liu-in-recital

Vienna Boys Choir concert celebrating 80 Years of Austria-Philippines Friendship set on April 26-27

After ten years, the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir (Wiener Sängerknaben) will return to Manila for a special concert on April 26 and 27, 2026, at 8:00 PM, in the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Celebrating the strong cultural ties between Austria and the Philippines, the concert will be held in anticipation of the 80th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries in 2026.

With a history spanning more than five centuries, the Vienna Boys Choir is regarded as one of the most distinguished choirs in the world. Known for their remarkable musicality, purity of tone, and rich tradition, the young singers perform a wide-ranging repertoire that includes classical masterpieces, sacred music, traditional Austrian works, and international favorites.

The upcoming Manila concert will mark the choir’s long-awaited return to the Philippines since their last performance in the country a decade ago. The event promises an evening of exceptional music and cultural exchange, highlighting the shared appreciation for the arts that has long connected Austria and the Philippines.

“The Vienna Boys Choir is one of Austria’s most treasured cultural ambassadors,” said H.E. Johann Brieger, Austrian Ambassador to the Philippines. “Their return to Manila after ten years is a wonderful opportunity to share Austria’s rich musical heritage with Filipino audiences and to celebrate the longstanding friendship between our two countries, especially as we look ahead to the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Austria and the Philippines in 2026.”

The concert is presented by Ovation Productions through a collaboration with the Austrian Embassy in Manila and the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Tickets are available via smtickets.com and SM Tickets outlets.

Audiences can look forward to a captivating program featuring classical European choral works, traditional Austrian pieces, and beloved international selections. More than a concert, the Vienna Boys Choir’s return to Manila represents a celebration of shared history, artistic excellence, and the lasting friendship between Austria and the Philippines.

About the Vienna Boys Choir

Founded in 1498, the Vienna Boys Choir is among the most famous choirs in the world. Based in Vienna, Austria, the choir consists of around 100 choristers between the ages of 9 and 14, divided into touring groups that perform regularly in leading concert halls and festivals worldwide. The choir maintains a tradition closely linked to Vienna’s rich musical heritage, once associated with composers such as Mozart, Schubert, and Bruckner.

Don’t miss this extraordinary musical event!