The American FilmInstitute, working with the Cultural Counselors of the European Union Member States, will present the 18th editionof the European Union Film Showcase at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland, from November 8-22.

UK films will open and close the festival:Michael Winterbottom's Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story will openwith its Washington, DC premiere; Stephen Frears' Mrs Henderson Presents will close theseries.

The showcase willinclude 24 European features and 25 short films. Other highlights include Sophie Scholl: TheFinal Days (Germany); ElPerro Negro: Stories from the Spanish Civil War(Netherlands/Hungary), My Nikifor (Poland) and Zozo (Sweden).

Shorts by Bela Tarr, Aki Kaurismaki, and Peter Greenawayare included.