Transilvania Film Festival founder on its international vision

A quarter-century vision

Transilvania International Film Festival founder Tudor Giurgiu established the event's blueprint 25 years ago with an explicitly international focus, aiming for a platform that transcended a simple showcase of domestic films. At the time of the festival's conception, Giurgiu was an up-and-coming director who identified a need for a film event in Romania with a global perspective.

His goal was to create the country’s first international film event, building a bridge between the ascendant Romanian film community and the wider world. The festival was born from a desire to foster international dialogue and collaboration, a principle that has guided it since its inception. This retrospective marks a quarter-century since Giurgiu first began sketching out the festival's framework.

Beyond a national showcase

The core mission to look beyond national borders was present from the very beginning. Giurgiu's plan was centered on interaction rather than mere exhibition, ensuring the festival would not be limited to screening local productions for a local audience. This approach was designed to elevate Romanian cinema by placing it in direct conversation with works from across the globe.

Reflecting on this foundational period, Giurgiu articulated the ambition behind the project. “I was dreaming that we could not just screen our films,” he stated, indicating a desire for a more dynamic and integrated cultural event. That initial ambition has since shaped the festival's programming and industry initiatives, solidifying its role as a key international-facing institution in Eastern Europe.