Kontinental 25 - Silver Bear Winner of Best Screenplay by Radu Jude

Join Us for the Grand Finale of the Romanian Film Festival UK with Radu Jude's Kontinental 25

This festival, a hidden gem in the vibrant tapestry of London’s cultural landscape, promises to be a celebration of the rich and diverse Romanian film industry. As we approach the launch of our festival we are thrilled to announce that the festival will be closing with the highly anticipated film, Kontinental 25. A Radu Jude masterpiece, preceded by a 21 minute UK premiere of his short film 'Plastic Semiotic' which Mubi said is basically what 'Barbie' would have looked like if Radu Jude had directed it.

About Kontinental 25

Kontinental 25 is a captivating exploration of human connections set against the backdrop of contemporary Romania. This film delves into the lives of individuals navigating the complexities of modern society, showcasing a blend of poignant storytelling and stunning cinematography. It has received critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of the Romanian experience, making it a must-see for both film enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.

Event Details

• Date: 1 December 25

• Time: 5pm

• Location: Curzon Soho, London

  
  

Why You Should Attend

• Engage with filmmakers and industry professionals during the Q&A session following the screening, featuring main actor Ezster Tompa

• Network with fellow film lovers and discover more about the rich culture of Romania.

  
  

We invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening that celebrates art, culture, and storytelling.

Get Your Tickets!

Tickets are selling fast, so be sure to secure your spot for this exciting event. Visit CURZON SOHO to grab your tickets now!

If you cannot make it to the Romanian Film Festival Screening in London, do not worry, you can still catch the film at a cinema near you!

Watch Kontinental 25 out of London at Filmhouse Edinburgh until the end of the month, and in Chichester between 8 - 10th of December.

The Romanian Film Festival 2025: in London and beyond! A Celebration of Cinematic Storytelling and Resilience.

Building on the 20-year legacy of the Romanian Film Festival in London, the Romanian Film Festival UK (RFF25UK) launches a bold new edition this winter, showcasing an outstanding selection of new and archive Romanian feature films, documentaries, and shorts.

The festival will open with the UK premiere of TRAFFIC — Romania’s official Academy Awards entry — written by Palme d’Or–winning scriptwriter and filmmaker Cristian Mungiu, directed by rising talent Teodora Ana Mihai, and starring César-winning French-Romanian actress Anamaria Vartolomei.

Based on a true story, the film follows a group of Romanian immigrants in Belgium who, treated as second-class citizens, decide to stage a daring heist that forces society to take notice.

The festival will close with KONTINENTAL ’25 (109 mins, 2025, Dir. Radu Jude) — a trenchant, darkly comic meditation on progress, corruption, and the moral cost of modernity.

Starring Eszter Tompa, Ilinca Manolache, Orsolya Moldován and Șerban Pavlu, the film combines biting satire with Jude’s signature intellectual wit. Premiering in Competition at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival, where it received the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, the film confirms Radu Jude’s reputation as one of Europe’s boldest and most inventive cinematic voices.

A rare screening of the digitally restored FOREST OF THE HANGED 158 mins, 1965, Dir. Liviu Ciulei. Presented in its new 4K restoration courtesy of the Romanian National Film Archive, the National Centre of Cinematography (CNC) and Thomas Ciulei. Regarded as one of the greatest works in Romanian cinema, it celebrates its 60th anniversary. Winner of Best director award at Cannes Film Festival 1965!

RFF 25 Artistic Director Alexandru Gherman said:

This year’s programme highlights the evolution of Romanian cinema — its courage, humor, and deeply human stories. Each film in the lineup reflects our shared experiences of resilience, love, and identity. We are proud to welcome outstanding Romanian film personalities to the UK, who will share and discuss their latest works with audiences in London and beyond. I am thrilled and honored that Mr. Nicolae Rațiu has accepted our invitation to become the festival's patron moving forward. It will serve as a wonderful meeting place for Romanian films and culture.

Running from Thursday 27 November to Monday 1 December, the festival will bring the best of Romanian cinema and talent to audiences in London and Colchester, aligning with Romania’s National Day celebrations. Screenings will be held daily at Curzon Soho, with a special pop-up event at Firstsite Gallery in Colchester and a special pre-screening reception held at the Ratiu Family Foundation on Saturday 29th of November, ahead of the main screening, open to all London ticket holders.

BAFTA winning actor Anamaria Marinca, this year’s Film & Festival Ambassador, added:

“I’m so happy to be part of this brand new edition of the London Romanian Film Festival, and especially to present Housekeeping for Beginners at a cinema I love so much, in the city I’ve called home for the past 20 years. I’m also proud to support my dear friends Manuela and Alexandru, who have poured their time, energy, and passion into this festival — and who must have worked a little magic to make it all happen this year.”

The festival is organised by Manuela R. Morar, a Romanian - British film and TV marketing professional, and Alexandru Gherman, a Romanian-American film and theatre director.

For more information about the festival ticket sales please visit www.rofilmfest.co.uk

Cristian Mungiu's Traffic aka Jaful Secolului directed by Teodora Ana Mihai to have it's UK premiere at the Inaugural Romanian Film Festival this winter!

Jaful Secolului aka Traffic Official Romanian Language Poster

Building on the 20-year legacy of the Romanian Film Festival in London - the

Romanian Film Festival UK is a brand-new initiative that will hold its inaugural

event this winter and showcase a variety of Romanian feature films,

documentaries, and shorts.

The festival will open with the UK premiere of Traffic — Romania’s official

Academy Awards entry — written by Palme d’Or–winning filmmaker Cristian

Mungiu, directed by rising talent Teodora Ana Mihai and starring César-

winning French Romanian actress Anamaria Vartolomei.

Based on a true story, the film depicts a group of Romanian immigrants in the Netherlands who go from unwanted second-class citizens to very much wanted criminals, as they decide to stage a heist that will make the locals notice them.

Running from Thursday 27th November to Monday 1st December, the

festival is curating a programme of the best Romanian cinema and talent to

eager audiences in London and beyond. Built to coalesce around Romania’s

National Day, the RFF25 is expanding the festival’s reach beyond the

Curzon Soho in London with a pop-up screening scheduled to take place in

the city of Colchester. The full film programme will be announced in the

coming weeks.

The new Romanian Film Festival UK is organised by Manuela R Morar, a

Romanian born, British film and tv marketing professional and Romanian –

American film and theatre director, Alexandru Gherman with funding secured

from the Departamentul Romanilor de Pretutindeni.

Manuela R Morar, RFF25 Director says: “In 2009 I volunteered at the

Romanian Film Festival in London, and it was a turning point in my life that

inspired me to pursue a career in the film and TV industry. This new iteration

of the Romanian Film Festival in UK aims to continue a much-loved tradition

in London and, as a one-off special event in 2025, we are also organising a

screening of Traffic at Firstsite a community run arthouse cinema and gallery

in my hometown of Colchester.”

Cristian Mungiu comments: “I am happy that the initiative of screening the

best Romanian films of the year in London will continue. Ramona Mitrica

invested a lot of passion in her attempt to promote the Romanian cinema in

UK, and I believe it is a good sign that former supporters mobilised by her

lovely enthusiasm found the energy to start anew. I hope the festival will

continue to bring its contribution by allowing Romanian films to be discovered

by local English-speaking audiences.”