Highlights from the 24th Transilvania International Film Festival
The 24th edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival has come to a stunning conclusion in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The festival’s closing gala, held at the National Theatre, celebrated remarkable cinematic achievements, with British director Mahdi Fleifel’s poignant film To a Land Unknown winning the prestigious Transilvania Trophy, accompanied by a cash prize of €10,000. This gripping drama follows two Palestinian refugees in Athens as they navigate a world filled with petty scams and the yearning for a better future in Germany. Fleifel remarked on the film’s decade-long journey to completion, emphasizing that the true issue in Palestine is not the people but the ongoing occupation: “That must end.”
In addition to the top prize, the festival recognized several outstanding films and directors. Notably, German filmmaker Noaz Deshe received the Best Directing Award, worth €3,500, for his work on Xoftex. The Special Jury Prize of €1,500 was awarded to Julian Castronovo’s Debut (or, Objects of the Field of Debris as Currently Catalogued) from the United States.
Complete List of Award Winners
Here’s a rundown of all the winners from the 24th Transilvania International Film Festival:
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Transilvania Trophy (€10,000): To a Land Unknown (Directed by Mahdi Fleifel, United Kingdom)
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Best Directing Award (€3,500): Noaz Deshe for Xoftex (Germany)
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Special Jury Prize (€1,500): Debut, or, Objects of the Field of Debris as Currently Catalogued (Directed by Julian Castronovo, United States)
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Best Performance Award (€1,000): Ghjuvanna Benedetti in The Kingdom (Directed by Julien Colonna, France)
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‘What’s up, Doc?’ Award (€2,000): Saturn (Directed by Daniel Tornero, Spain)
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Special Mention of the ‘What’s Up, Doc?’ Jury:
- The Return of the Projectionist (Directed by Orkhan Aghazadeh, France)
- Letters from Wolf Street (Directed by Arjun Talwar, Poland)
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Romanian Days: Best Feature Film (€1,500): The New Year That Never Came (Directed by Bogdan Mureșanu, Romania)
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Romanian Days Award for Best Debut (€1,500): Bright Future (Directed by Andra MacMasters, Romania)
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Romanian Days Award for Best Short Film (€1,500 + €5,000 in equipment services): Aid (Directed by Valentin-Rareș Fogoroș, Romania)
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Audience Award (€2,000): Deaf (Directed by Eva Libertad García López, Spain)
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Most Popular Romanian Film (Vodafone Hearts’ Award) (€2,500): The New Year That Never Came (Directed by Bogdan Mureșanu, Romania)
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Excellency Awards:
- Director: Andrei Ujica
- Actor: Florin Piersic
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Béla Tarr (Director) & Emila Dobrin (Actress)
- Film Critic: Valerian Sava
- Special Contribution to World Cinema: Maria de Medeiros
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FIPRESCI Award: Merman (Directed by Ana Lungu, Romania)
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Youth Award (TEEN Spirit) (€1,500): Little Trouble Girls (Directed by Urška Djukić, Slovenia)
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Special Mention of the Teen Spirit Jury: The Girls at the Station (Directed by Juana Macías, Spain)
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Ecumenical Jury Award (€1,000): Peacock (Directed by Bernhard Wenger, Germany)
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Special Mention of the Ecumenical Jury: Rains over Babel (Directed by Gala del Sol, Colombia)
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SIGNIS Award (€500): Grandpa Is Sleeping (Directed by Matei Branea, Romania)
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TRANSILVANIA PITCH STOP Awards:
- Chainsaw Europe Award (€25,000 in post-production services): Kazimir (Directed by Dorian Boguță)
- TPS Development Award (€5,000): Horseshoe (Directed by Lucia Chicoș)
- National Center of Cinematography of the Republic of Moldova Award (€1,500): Desire (Directed by Nuray Kayacan Sünbül, Turkey)
- Connecting Cottbus cocoLAB Award: Grandparents’ Paradise (Directed by Alex Țibu and Șerban Racovițeanu)
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DRAMA ROOM Awards:
- Best Series Project Award: The Accountant (Screenwriter: Bogdan Drumea, Romania)
- Creative Residency at Bethlen-Haller Castle: ReGYM (Screenwriters: Alex Pintică, Alberto Nicolae, Romania)
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LOCAL COMPETITION Awards:
- Local Competition Award (€1,000 + post-production services): Concluzia (Directed by Bîrza Vlad)
- The Unusual Award: Posibilitățile unei evadări (Directed by Lehel Fazakas and Antal Bence)
- Special Mention of the Jury: Apele în care ne scăldăm (Directed by Răzvan Dima)
- Făclia Award: Ole (Directed by Ambrozie Pură)
- OTHER AWARDS:
- Young Francophone Jury Award: Block Pass (Directed by Antoine Chevrollier, France)
- Alex. Leo Șerban Scholarship (€2,500): Milionarul gunoaielor (Directed by Radu Stroie)
- Special Mention within the Alex. Leo Șerban Scholarship (€1,000): Ștefan Mihai
The Transilvania International Film Festival continues to be a vital platform for filmmakers, showcasing diverse stories and talents from around the world. Stay tuned for more updates as we look forward to the next edition!
