16th Romanian Film Festival

Description

16th Romanian Film Festival

April 17, 2026 - December 30, 2026

• The sixteenth edition of the Contemporary Romanian Film Festival in Spain kicks off on April 17 at Cineteca Madrid with the premiere of The Yellow Tie, starring John Malkovich and Ben Schnetzer as the legendary director Sergiu Celibidache, in the presence of director Serge Ioan Celibidache and producer James Olivier.

• The selection includes seven multi-award-winning films such as Kontinental ’25 (2025), by Radu Jude, winner of the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at the 2025 Berlinale; Sorella di Clausura (2025), by Ivana Mladenović, a co-production with Spanish participation that garnered acclaim at Sarajevo, Locarno, and Gijón; and Clasat, winner of Best Romanian Film at the 2024 Transilvania International Film Festival.

• The Family Cinema section presents The Government of Children II (2024), directed by Ioana Mischie, an innovative documentary that integrates technologies such as Unreal Engine and artificial intelligence.

The Romanian Cultural Institute, under the auspices of the Embassy of Romania in the Kingdom of Spain, and Cineteca Madrid present the 16th edition of the Romanian Film Festival, an annual event now firmly established on Madrid's cultural calendar and an essential meeting point for lovers of contemporary European cinema.

The Romanian Film Festival in Spain offers a carefully curated selection of seven recent films from Romania, by internationally acclaimed contemporary filmmakers and emerging voices in the current audiovisual landscape. These unique screenings will take place from April 17 to 30, 2026, at Cineteca Madrid.

The program encompasses a diverse range of themes and styles, from historical memory and literary inspiration to contemporary social issues, ethical dilemmas, and critical satire. It also incorporates new approaches to storytelling and filmmaking, as well as reflections on current technological challenges, including artificial intelligence.

Audiences will be able to enjoy true audiovisual gems, such as *The Yellow Tie* (2025, 145 min.), which explores the extraordinary life of the legendary conductor Sergiu Celibidache in an internationally ambitious production that combines historical depth with artistic power. The screening takes on special significance as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the maestro's passing. The opening screening will be attended by director and co-writer Serge Ioan Celebidachi and co-writer and producer James Olivier. The film was selected for the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Kontinental ’25’ (2025, 109’), by Radu Jude, winner of the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at the 2025 Berlinale, is one of the key titles of this year’s festival. Shot experimentally in just ten days using a mobile phone, the film confirms the innovative and critical spirit of one of the most relevant European filmmakers of our time. The film has also been recognized at the 2025 Gijón International Film Festival, where Eszter Tompa received the Best Actress award and the film was nominated for Best Film (Albar section), as well as at the 2025 Chicago International Film Festival, where Eszter Tompa won the Silver Hugo for Best Actress.

The international collaboration dimension is represented by Sorella di Clausura (2025, 104’), by Ivana Mladenović, a co-production with Spanish participation, widely recognized on the international circuit: Best Director at the Sarajevo Film Festival 2025, Boccalino d’Oro Award for Best Actress at the Locarno Film Festival 2025, and Special Mention from the CIMA Award for Best Feature Film Directed by a Woman at the Gijón International Film Festival 2025. This work subtly explores obsession, vulnerability, and social inequalities within the context of a Romania marked by profound transformations.

Among the featured titles is also Clasat (Case Closed) (2024, 92’), by Horia Cucută and George ve Gänæaard, winner at the 2024 Transilvania International Film Festival. The film addresses highly topical issues related to artificial intelligence and technological ethics, broadening the thematic horizon of contemporary Romanian cinema. With an aesthetic that plays with the conventions of mockumentary, the film questions corporate transparency and the real impact of technology on today's society.

Historical memory and literary inspiration are present in Moromeții 3 / The Moromete Family 3: Father and Son (2024, 110’), by Stere Gulea, one of the most renowned directors of contemporary Romanian cinema and a key figure in the film adaptation of the work of writer Marin Preda. The film features the prestigious actor Horațiu Mălăele, whose portrayal of Ilie Moromete has been widely praised. Recognized at major national awards, the film reaffirms the enduring relevance of one of the most important sagas in recent Romanian cinema.

Completing the selection is Catane (2025, 96’), by Ioana Mischie, whose debut feature film was nominated for Best Independent Film (Foreign Language) at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, particularly noted for its powerful and unique original score by Emiliano Mazzenga. The film combines satire and absurdity to offer an original perspective on contemporary social reality, and has garnered significant recognition at international film festivals.

As part of the Cineteca en Familia program, The Government of Children II (2024, 90’), directed by Ioana Mischie, will be screened. This innovative documentary invites viewers to discover a society imagined by 19 Romanian children between the ages of 7 and 12. It integrates technologies from video game development, such as Unreal Engine, and artificial intelligence tools, offering a unique audiovisual experience designed for younger audiences as well.

The Romanian Film Festival doesn't stop in Madrid: throughout 2026, the selection of films will also travel to 11 Spanish cities. Film lovers can enjoy this program in Oviedo, Salamanca, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Valencia, Zaragoza, Vigo, Santander, Almeria, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, thus expanding the national reach of this sixteenth edition and consolidating its presence in various cultural centers across the country.

Program in Madrid:

Friday, April 17, 8:00 p.m.: "The Yellow Tie" (2025, 145 min.), dir. Serge Ioan Celebidachi, Sala Azcona

Saturday, April 18, 8:00 p.m.: "Kontinental ’25" (2025, 109 min.), dir. Radu Jude, Plató Hall

Wednesday, April 22, 8:00 p.m.: “Clasat” (Case Closed) (2024, 92’), dir. Horia Cucută and George ve Gänæaard, Plató Hall

Friday, April 24, 8:00 p.m.: “Sorella di Clausura” (2025, 107’), dir. Ivana Mladenović, Plató Hall

Saturday, April 25, 7:00 p.m.: “Moromeții 3” / “The Moromete Family 3: Father and Son” (2024, 110’), dir. Stere Gulea, Azcona Hall

Sunday, April 26, 12:00 p.m.: “Children’s Government II” (2024, 90’), dir. Ioana Mischie, Azcona Hall

Thursday, April 30, 8:00 p.m.: "Catane" (2025, 96 min.), dir. Ioana Mischie, Azcona Hall

All films will be screened in their original version with Spanish subtitles. Tickets will be available at the Cineteca box office and online.

Programming in Oviedo - Philharmonic Theatre, April – June 2026:

Sunday, April 19, 7:00 p.m.: The Yellow Tie (2025, 145’)

Thursday, April 30, 8:00 p.m.: Catane (2025, 96’)

Thursday, June 4, 8:00 p.m.: Kontinental ’25 (2025, 109’)

Thursday, June 18, 2026, 8:00 p.m.: Sorella di Clausura (2025, 107’)

The exhibition will continue in the fall with the presentation of Clasat (Case Closed) (2024, 92’), by Horia Cucută and George ve Gänæaard, and Moromeții 3 / The Moromete Family 3: Father and Son (2024, 110’), by Stere Gulea.

With the support of the Oviedo Contemporary Audiovisual Week and the Oviedo Municipal Culture Foundation. Free admission.