“The 9th edition of The Romanian Film Festival (RFF) in London is a unique opportunity to enjoy a showcase of Romania’s most exciting new films.
The Romanian Film Festival took off in 2003. The Romanian New Wave was about to take off at the same time, highlighting remarkable actors and young directors. Supported and inspired by these sparkling new talents, the Festival went from strength to strength. For example, in Britain, we were the first to screen the short films and the debut feature of the prizewinning director Cristian Mungiu, who went on to forge an international reputation, and remains a friend and supporter of the event. In the ensuing years a long list of actors and directors have shown their work at the RFF, then developed into household names.
At the same time the Festival has continued to celebrate the classic Romanian cinema, acquainting British audiences with the best in our tradition. In 2004, for example, the highlight of the festival was the Lucian Pintilie Retrospective, which featured a stimulating appearance by the director.
The Festival has always been an important means of transmitting a positive message about Romania, and the rest of the East and Central European region. In contrast to routine media coverage, the films being screened are among the few positive contributions to images of life in the region. Ironically, the New Wave directors have been among the most acute and perceptive critics of Romania’s post revolutionary society, but this has been far from promoting a negative image of the country. Instead, in London, Berlin, Cannes and New York, their films have been recognised as a challenge to stereotypes, offering audiences a detailed understanding of Romanians as individuals like themselves.
The Festival is a not-for-profit enterprise, functioning with the help of grants and sponsorship from our numerous friends and supporters. Many thanks to you all.
We look forward to celebrating together the Romanian cinema in London. See you on the red carpet!”
Ramona Mitrică, Festival Director