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