The European Union and its Member States in Paraguay present the 17th European Cinema Cycle from 19 August to 4 September 2026. The programme brings 10 films from across Europe to Asunción, offering free screenings at three cultural venues. The initiative seeks to bring European cultural diversity closer to Paraguayan audiences through cinema. The selection includes comedies, dramas, animation, family films and documentaries from different countries. These include Ireland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Slovenia and Spain. All screenings are free and will feature Spanish subtitles.
From Irish comedy to German history
The cycle opens on Wednesday, 19 August, at 19:30 at Cine Villamorra with Four Mothers (Cuatro madres) from Ireland. Directed by Darren Thornton, the comedy follows Edward, a novelist on the brink of literary success who is left caring for his elderly mother and three other eccentric women. What begins as an unwanted responsibility becomes a chaotic weekend of family, friendship and unexpected connections.
On Friday, 21 August, at 19:30, the Instituto Cultural Paraguayo-Alemán (ICPA) will screen Two to One (Dos a uno). Its original German title is Zwei zu eins. Set in the summer of 1990, the comedy follows friends in the former East Germany who discover millions of East German marks and attempt to exchange them before they become worthless. The film uses the scheme to explore the uncertainty and social changes surrounding German reunification.
The following morning, Saturday, 22 August, brings Living Large (Mi vida a lo grande) to the Centro Cultural de España en Asunción at 11:00. The Czech-Slovak-French animated film follows 12-year-old Ben, who loves cooking and music but faces bullying because of his weight. As he tries to win over his crush, he gradually learns that self-acceptance matters more than changing his appearance.
On Sunday, 23 August, Cine Villamorra will screen the Dutch family film Jippie No More! at 18:00. The story centres on 16-year-old Jippie, who falls in love while his family gathers at his grandfather’s country house for his sister’s wedding. His first romance becomes complicated when he discovers that Lily is interested in his younger sister instead.
Contemporary stories from across Europe
The programme continues at ICPA on Thursday, 27 August, at 19:30 with the documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin. Winner of the Oscar 2026, Danish-Czech-German production. The film follows Russian teacher Pavel Talankin as he documents life at his school and the growing influence of Putin’s government on education and public life.
On Friday, 28 August, Heads or Fails (Amar, perder) will be shown at Cine Villamorra at 19:30. The Belgian-French comedy follows 26-year-old Armande Pigeon, an unemployed woman struggling with debt in Brussels and constantly betting on almost everything. When she teams up with Ronnie and suddenly starts winning, she faces the challenge of knowing when to stop.
Italy will take the spotlight on Saturday, 29 August, with Gloria! at 19:30 at Cine Villamorra. Set in a girls’ musical institution near Venice around 1800, the film follows Teresa. A young servant who discovers a new musical instrument and begins making music with a group of talented girls. The historical musical explores creativity, female friendship and the power of music.
The September programme begins on Wednesday, 2 September, with Sweden’s Live a Little (Vive un poco) at 19:30 at ICPA. The film’s original Swedish title is Leva lite. Best friends Laura and Alex are on a couchsurfing journey through Europe. But an incident leaves Laura questioning what happened and confronting her own boundaries.
On Thursday, 3 September, ICPA will screen Slovenia’s Family Therapy (Terapia familiar) at 19:30. The satirical drama centres on a wealthy Slovenian family whose seemingly perfect life is disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious young man. His presence exposes tensions, secrets and dysfunctional relationships beneath the family’s polished exterior.
The last movie
The 17th European Cinema Cycle will close on Friday, 4 September, at 10:30 at the Centro Cultural de España. The movie will be The Blue Star (La estrella azul) from Spain. Set in the 1990s, Javier Macipe’s film follows Spanish rock musician Mauricio as he travels through Latin America searching for his musical vocation. There, he meets Don Carlos, an ageing musician facing difficult circumstances. Their encounter leads to an unlikely musical partnership and a journey inspired by the spirit of Don Quixote.
With 10 films presented across three venues, the 17th European Cinema Cycle offers audiences in Asunción a varied look at contemporary European filmmaking. The complete programme, synopses, trailers and interactive content will be available through the official social media channels of the European Union in Paraguay. All screenings are free of charge, making the festival an opportunity to discover European cinema.
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