FOREWORD

Dear friends of film art,

I belong to the generation of people who, among other things, experienced as well a certain film revolution. As a citizen of a communist country I could have a quite good grasp of the production of film-makers from the sphere of the allied communist countries via the Czechoslovak Television broadcasting service. From time to time we had a chance to compare these films with productions from Western Europe. Yet we could mostly only dream about the latest blockbusters produced in Hollywood.

After 1989 the situation turned upside down. However, the catch-phrase "too much is too much" rapidly proved to be true. In the flood of American movies of various quality, we almost lost the possibility to follow the European cinematography in our everyday life. This was an ideal opportunity to prepare a festival of films that have been unrightfully neglected by the commercial film distribution.

This might have been only a bold idea 18 years ago. But nowadays it is a tradition without which we cannot imagine our film year any more. I am delighted that I can support the Days of European Film festival in my capacity as Culture Minister.

I wish you all the most beautiful film experiences possible,

Yours sincerely

Jiří Besser
Culture Minister of the Czech Republic

Dear film lovers,

Despite economic constraints, the European film industry offers outstanding quality. The 18th European Film Days will again be an excellent opportunity for all of us to enjoy the creativity and artistic value of European films and the variety of European culture.

2011 marks twenty years of existence for the EU's MEDIA programme. Over two decades the programme has supported countless European projects, boosted the careers of thousands of European professionals and offered high-quality films to European and international audiences.

The European Film Days are themselves a proof of the success of the EU support for film productions, which has played a big part in helping films cross borders and gain audiences outside their home countries. The programme provides financial support for the distribution of nine out of ten European films outside the country they were produced in.

This year, the festival also hosts a special section dedicated to the "European Year of Volunteering" with a selection of movies and documentaries in which engaged citizens make a contribution to improve other people's lives.

More than 100 million of European citizens are volunteers in sectors as varied as education, fight against discrimination, environment, health, social and humanitarian care etc. Volunteers are a strong expression of solidarity.

The European Commission Representation thanks the organisers for actively participating in the European Year of Volunteering by setting up a platform for exchanging experiences, and making the work of volunteers more visible and valuable. It is also a token of recognition and appreciation of their voluntary work to help others.

I wish the organisers every success and the spectators enriching and inspiring experiences.

Jan Michal
Head of the European Commission
Representation in the Czech Republic

Esteemed lovers of the film arts,

Since its beginning, film has been the simplest and most coherent tool for sharing one's experiences. It is a tool that can emancipate us from the entrenched rituals of the everyday and allow us to step into the fates of others, to share their joy, their fears, and their wishes... The culture of every country is different and so too are these different points of view reflected in their cinematic output, which thanks to the Days of European Film we can experience for ourselves. I am of the opinion that a good film can always speak to us, geographical and language barriers notwithstanding.

For the 18th year now the Days of European Film are providing us viewers with the opportunity to see films that, for various reasons, have not reached our eyes. Films that are the best and most interesting that European cinematography has created. I am certain that every spectator will be able to find their own topics, their own authors and artists, and certainly no one will leave the theatre disappointed.

I wish you the finest of cinematic experiences.

Bohuslav Svoboda
Mayor of the City of Prague