New Delhi: Heart rending modern dramas, edge-of-the-seat thrillers and finger-on-the-pulse comedies are among the package of 21 films that will be screened at the 13th European Union Film Festival scheduled to kick off in the Capital city from April 1. The highly acclaimed films from 20 member states of the EU would be screened at the Indian Habitat Centre and Alliance Francasie here.

The festival, which is being organised in Delhi for the last 20 years, will later also move to Kolkata (April 10- 16), Chennai (April 7-17), Kozhikode (April 17-20) and Pune (April 24-30).

"The main aim of this initiative is to highlight the inspiring diversity of religion, language and culture in the contemporary European films. We want to spread a cross-cultural message of unity and diversity that exist between the different nations of European Union through the films," Dr Alexander Spachis, Deputy Commissioner, European Union, New Delhi told reporters here.

The films display the dreams and aspirations of ordinary people. It's about human suffering, about emotions. It depicts the common thread that binds all human being, he said. "This festival will prove to be a window to the European Union and will help to sensitise people about the art and culture of the different countries of Europe. And with Commonwealth Games round the corner, I hope it will further help to give a global outlook to Delhi so that it can grow up to be a global city by 2010," Director, information Publicity, New Delhi, Uday Sahay said.