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Donostia-San Sebastian.  There is no doubt that Basque film has given us very high quality movies in recent years, something that has also been noticed by film lovers.  Aware of this, Lucia L. Mendo and alba Sueiro, two youth working in Amsterdam in the area of culture, thought that it was too bad that more films from the Basque Country weren’t being shown, and so they organized the first Basque film week in Amsterdam, the “Epa! Film Week.”

The Cavia alternative theater will then be the place to see 8 recent Basque films from Aptil 30 to May 6.

• Amerikanuak. Nacho Reig, Gorka Bilbao (2010)
• Zuloak. Fermin Muguruza (2012)
• Bertsolari. Asier Altuna (2011)
• Bi anai. Imanol Rayo (2011)
• Aupa Etxebeste! Telmo Esnal eta Asier Altuna (2005)
• Mariposas en el hierro.  Bertha Gaztelumendi (2012)
• 80 egunean. José Mari Goenaga, Jon Garaño (2010)
• Ander. Roberto Castón. (2009)

In addition to these feature-length films there will also be a selection of shorts from the Kimuak program:

• Lagun mina
• Bucle (Loop)
• 7'35''
• She's lost control
• Zeinek gehiago iraun
• Un novio de mierda
• Artalde
• Amona Putz
• Él nunca lo haría
•  La media pena

“Amsterdam seems to be the perfect city to us to develop a project like this and show other culture, since it is very open and tolerant,” Alba told EuskalKultura.com.

Organizing a film week from bottom up wasn’t easy, but help offered by various producers whose films were to be shown at the festival was huge.  “Never were any economic barriers put on the event or any other type of objection that kept us from showing their films, moreover they collaborated in everywhere possible regarding the project.”

Despite having a small group, only six people (without counting volunteers) and keeping in mind that it was a project that started from zero, all the help that we received (volunteers, crowdfunding…) was very important, especially since we had no sponsorship, not public or private.  “If anyone likes this idea and would like to help us, it would be welcomed, since at this time, all expenses are being covered from our pockets and from crowdfunding that is taking place in Amsterdam,” Alba said.  “We are moving forward in our spare time, because we believe in it: with the force that that brings with it.  It’s worth it.”

-To volunteer