Eight categories of love are explored in 55 short films from 44 countries in “Europe Will Love You, the European Short Film Festival” at Konkuk University’s KU Cinematheque movie theater through Feb. 21 and at Korea University’s KU Cinema Trap from Feb. 22-24.

Organized by the European Union Delegation in Korea, the European Short Film Festival is Europe’s first official short film festival here, with its inaugural year opening Friday with the theme “love.”

Each film explores what organizers said are one of eight types of love ― specifically when love begins, sinless love, love at stake, strange love, love of life, family love, last words of love, and the borders of Europe.

The festival opened Friday at KU Cinematheque with speeches, a reception and a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included Bulgarian Ambassador Petar Andonov and Dutch Ambassador Paul Menkveld, as well as diplomats from the Spanish and Polish embassies.

The film festival’s opening night screened four shorts: “Cat and Mice” from The Netherlands; “From the 41st Minute” from Italy; “Let’s go to Plan B” from Spain and “Marie” from Belgium.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)