Monrovia – The European Union Delegation to Liberia has wrapped up a successful two-week film festival that fostered advocacy, dialogue, and community engagement across Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, and Gbarpolu Counties. Launched on March 18, 2025, at William V.S. Tubman High School in Sinkor, the initiative brought together around 3,000 Liberians—from youth and elders to local leaders and women groups—for discussions on social issues through the lens of cinema.

Screenings took place in several neighborhoods and towns including Gaye Town, Slipway, Fiamah Weasay, Doe Community, and cultural centers like Alliance Française, as well as in Bopolu, Tubmanburg, and Robertsport. The final screening was held on April 17 in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County.

The festival showcased a diverse selection of films from Liberia and Europe, including Pray the Devil Back to Hell—a documentary on the Liberian women’s peace movement led by Leymah Gbowee, Water Get No Enemy, Kokota: The Islet of Hope, and Maher: Black Rain in Bomi. These films inspired vibrant discussions on themes such as post-war healing, climate change, peacebuilding, youth empowerment, and substance abuse.

Community members praised the event as a powerful, creative platform that allowed them to voice concerns, raise awareness, and propose local solutions. Many residents submitted project proposals to the EU Delegation, hoping for continued support in addressing local needs.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, EU Ambassador to Liberia Nona Deprez reaffirmed the EU’s dedication to community development through cultural engagement. “Film is more than entertainment—it’s a tool for change and youth empowerment,” she said. The Ambassador emphasized that the festival was designed to reach underserved areas and address pressing issues like drug abuse among youth.

Monrovia City Mayor John Charuk-Siafa, keynote speaker at the event, hailed film as a unifying medium that speaks across cultures. Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando called for stronger partnerships to combat drug-related challenges, while local leaders like Bopolu City Mayor Madam Sieh Keyah-Victor and Robertsport City Mayor Thomas Massaquoi highlighted the festival’s local impact in fostering education, unity, and constructive dialogue.

The EU-Liberia Film Festival stands as a testament to how culture and storytelling can contribute meaningfully to community development and resilience across Liberia.