The Transilvania Intl. Film Festival celebrates its 25th edition from June 12 to 21 in Cluj, Romania, marking a milestone for the event that has become a staple in the international film circuit.
Origins and Growth
Founded in 2002 by Tudor Giurgiu, the festival was born out of a need to support Romanian cinema during a time when the industry was struggling. Mihai Chirilov, the artistic director, recalls, "No Romanian films. No proper infrastructure. Cinemas were going down. No state involvement, financially." The first festival was modest, with Giurgiu noting it was "the best-organized edition" with two screening rooms over seven days.
First Edition Retrospective
The inaugural event featured films like David Lynch’s "Mulholland Drive," Michael Haneke’s "The Piano Teacher," and Hayao Miyazaki’s "Spirited Away." This year's festival includes a "25 Years Later" retrospective, showcasing these pioneering films once again. Chirilov reflects, "It was really shocking and provocative. We didn’t give a fuck."
Current Lineup
Opening with Giurgiu's "3 Days in September," the festival presents a diverse competition line-up. Highlights include Aitore Zholdaskali’s "Sicko," Akinola Davies Jr.’s "My Father’s Shadow," and Konstantina Kotzamani’s "Titanic Ocean." Notable screenings also feature Andrei Zvyagintsev’s "Minotaur," Radu Jude’s "Diary of a Chambermaid," and Pedro Almodóvar’s "Bitter Christmas."
Festival Philosophy
Chirilov emphasizes the festival's commitment to provoking audiences. "We are an audience festival," he states. "Without an audience, you don’t exist. TIFF is not a comfort zone. It’s not a safe place." He adds, "You have to work a bit harder to keep your subversive sense, to fight conformism." The festival continues to expand with events like the "Weekend at the Castle" at Bánffy Castle, further embedding itself in the cultural landscape.
The 25th Transilvania Intl. Film Festival runs June 12 to 21.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/transilvania-film-festival-2026-1236769111/
