Transilvania IFF.25 Unveils Romanian Days Competition Lineup
The 25th edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) has officially unveiled the selection for its highly anticipated Romanian Days competition. This year’s roster highlights the vitality of the local film industry, featuring 31 productions that showcase a mix of emerging talent and established creative voices.
A Showcase of Local Cinematic Talent
The Romanian Days section serves as a cornerstone of the festival, providing a platform for domestic filmmakers to compete for three major honors: Best Feature Film, Best Debut, and Best Short Film. The current selection includes 11 feature films—the majority of which are fiction debuts—and 20 short films.
The feature films selected for the competition are also set to be evaluated by a FIPRESCI jury, while the short film entries are eligible for recognition from the Signis jury. Beyond the competitive program, the festival will host screenings of acclaimed Romanian titles from the past year, as well as several world and national premieres.
Feature Film Competition Entries
- Don’t Let Me Die, directed by Andrei Epure
- A Safe Place, directed by Cecilia Ștefănescu
- A River’s Gaze, directed by Andreea Borțun
- Y, directed by Maria Popistașu and Alex Baciu
- The Uncertainty Principle, directed by Sebastian Bădărău
- The Circle, directed by Valeriu Andriuță
- Milk Teeth, directed by Mihai Mincan
- Catane, directed by Ioana Mischie
- Back and Forth, directed by Cristi Bota
- Lenin’s Pawn, directed by Dragoș Turea
- Something Familiar, directed by Rachel Taparjan
Expert Jury Panel
The Romanian Days feature film jury brings together a wealth of international programming and production expertise. This year’s panel includes:
- René Wolf: Consultant and former head of acquisitions at Eye Filmmuseum Amsterdam.
- Anja Fröhner: Head of Programming at the Zurich Film Festival.
- Marie Balducchi: Producer at Agat Films.
Looking Ahead
As the festival gears up for its milestone 25th anniversary, the focus remains on fostering the next generation of storytellers. With a lineup dominated by debut directors, the Romanian Days competition underscores the festival’s commitment to innovation and discovery. By providing a global stage for these films, Transilvania IFF continues to be a vital hub for Central European cinema, bridging the gap between local narratives and international audiences.
The festival, which recently announced its broader 2026 lineup featuring international productions vying for the Transilvania Trophy, promises to be a significant event for industry professionals and cinephiles alike.