March 16th
Films & Politics #11
Iran : What Role Should Europe Play Now ?
In the past week, U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have triggered a dangerous escalation — with mounting civilian consequences and a rapidly widening geopolitical crisis.
Across Europe, reactions have been mixed. Spain has criticised the strikes and called for de-escalation, while France has urged restraint and renewed diplomacy. At the EU level, calls for restraint have been issued, but the broader question remains unresolved : what role can — and should — Europe play in this conflict ?
As tensions rise in the region and global stability hangs in the balance, the pressure on European leaders to articulate a clear position is growing. Join us on March 16th in a timely conversation examining Europe’s leverage, responsibility, and capacity to act in an increasingly volatile international landscape.
The discussion will be followed by a screening of It Was Just an Accident (2025) by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi — winner of the 2025 Palme d’Or in Cannes and nominated for an Academy Award 2026.
Meet The Panelists
Hannah Neumann is a Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Delegation for Relations with Iran. A peace and conflict researcher by training, she works on EU foreign and security policy, human rights, and the Middle East, advocating for a united European approach that combines strategic pressure with democratic accountability.
Schams El Ghoneimi is a foreign policy advisor specializing in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). He worked at the European Parliament for the Renew Europe group, where he advised on international policy issues and relations between the EU and Middle Eastern countries.
More speakers to come
MODERATOR
Elena Sánchez Nicolás is a Brussels-based freelance journalist and Editor In Chief at EUobserver. Specializing in European affairs, she previously worked at VoteWatch Europe and the Spanish news agency EFE. She holds MAs in New Media and Society in Europe and Transmedia Journalism.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT
directed by Jafar Panahi
2025 Palme d’Or Winner at Cannes &
2026 Oscar nominee for Best International Feature Film
A minor accident. A familiar face. A past that refuses to stay buried.
Set in Iran, It Was Just an Accident begins with a seemingly ordinary encounter that quickly spirals into a tense moral reckoning. As suspicion grows and old wounds resurface, a group of individuals must confront a devastating question : what does justice look like when the system has failed you ?
Panel Discussion
Crisis or Opportunity ?
Europe’s Leverage on Iran
The evening will open with a discussion exploring what “leverage” means for Europe in an increasingly fragile geopolitical landscape, examining how the EU can combine diplomatic pressure, political influence, and strategic restraint while avoiding further escalation.
March 16th 2026
19:00 - 22:00
La Tricoterie,
Rue Théodore Verhaegen 158, 1060 Bruxelles
Entrance
12€
Evening Agenda :
19:00 – 19:30
Doors opening
19:30 – 20:30
Panel discussion & Q&A
20:45 – 22:30
Screening - It Was Just An Accident (2025) - film duration : 104 minutes
About newframes
Films & Politics is a series by newframes designed to bring social issues to life through cinema, focusing on the challenges of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each event features a film screening followed by a discussion with one or more expert panellists, fostering democratic participation and meaningful dialogue between civil society, industry, and policymakers.
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