The Lucca Film Festival and Europa Cinema (LFFEC) is an annual event that has been held in Lucca since 2005, offering screenings, exhibitions, conferences, masterclasses and performances ranging from mainstream to art-house cinema. Born to give space and diffusion to foreign experimental productions little known to the public, it has a focus on contemporary cinema reflected in a careful selection of Italian premieres. One of the most unique sections of the festival is the Effetto Cinema Notte, that encompasses all performance events and presents a special evening every year involving dozens of theatre and dance companies, each one then presents a homage performance to a guest, film or tv series (showcased by the Festival) taking place in a public venue in the historic centre.

Moreover, the festival dedicates great effort to encourage the participation of young people through activities and internships, acting as a school of thought, method and ideas for the growth of new generations.

Over the years there have been guests such as directors, actors and critics, for instance: Paolo Taviani, Lou Castel, Abel Ferrara, Peter Greenaway, David Lynch, David Cronenberg, George A. Romero, Marco Bellocchio, Paolo Sorrentino, Willem Dafoe, Rutger Hauer, Alfonso Cuaron, Oliver Stone, Matteo Garrone, Martin Freeman, Matt Dillon.