MUMBAI: The 30th European Union Film Festival (EUFF) opened to an enthusiastic audience response in New Delhi, celebrating three decades of cinematic, cultural and artistic exchange between Europe and India. Running from October 31 to November 9, 2025 in the capital before travelling to Bengaluru from November 7–15 and onward to Hyderabad, this milestone edition brings audiences together through a rich showcase of contemporary European cinema and thought-provoking cultural engagement beyond the screen. As part of this year’s programming, Day 5 of EUFF 2025 hosted a special Indo-European panel on the Future of Filmmaking, to examine the new frontiers of storytelling. The session examined co-production’s rise in independent cinema, the convergence of storytelling across formats, and the growing impact of technology and AI on filmmaking.
The discussion brought together acclaimed filmmakers and producers including Shaunak Sen, Indian filmmaker; Sandeep Kumar, director of the Austrian film Happy; and Kaisla Vittala and Daniel Kuitunen, producers of the Finnish film Ojhus/ The Missile, to examine how co-production is redefining creative and financial horizons for independent cinema; how storytelling is expanding across film, series, gaming and immersive formats; and how AI and technological advancements are reshaping the language, craft and evolution of film. The session fostered thoughtful cross-cultural dialogue and industry exchange, underscoring a shared commitment to co-creating the next chapter of Indo-European storytelling.
Speaking at the panel discussion, Daniel Kuitunen, producer of the Finnish film Ojhus / The Missile, highlighted the importance of collaboration and trust in international co-productions. He said, “Key to success or key to your failure when talking about co-producing is who you do it with, who is the co-producer. That is the whole key to making it or not making it because a good co-producer says to you that I know what you’re after, but it doesn’t make sense for your film — don’t do it. That’s a good co-producer.”
Talking about the growing importance of international collaborations, filmmaker Shaunak Sen said, “Co-productions have become essential for Indian independent cinema. With limited funding and infrastructure at home, filmmakers often piece together resources globally — color in Finland, sound in Paris, editing in Copenhagen. These collaborations don’t just help finish a film, they open doors to fresh creative possibilities.”
Sharing his advice with aspiring filmmakers during the discussion, Sandeep Kumar, director of the Austrian film Happy, emphasized the importance of creative focus over production responsibilities. He said, “My advice to young filmmakers — don’t get into production. Get a good producer to handle the money and management; focus on your craft, your writing, and direction.”
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