For over 10 years, TIFF has been promoting and awarding filmmakers from Cluj, giving them the opportunity to showcase their latest productions on the big screen as part of the Local Competition. This year, seven out of the 31 submitted short films have been selected as finalists.
"30.03" (dir. Ruxandra Bratfalean-Igna) is a portrayal of memories leading up to the death of a young man, intertwined with the subsequent changes and conflicts among his friends. In "Circus" (dir. Ioan-Alexandru Sîrbu), a newly graduated psychologist tries to uncover the reasons why a group of acting students refuse to return to their classes, while two old friends find themselves in a new situation in "Oedipus' Morning" (dir. Eszter Tompa). "Unnamed" (dir. George Cibotariu) tells the story of a young photographer navigating his sexuality through a series of events that cause profound mental turmoil, while in "Hanna & Flóra" (dir. Márton Nagy), two old friends reunite only to find themselves handcuffed in a police station. "Just the Sky and the Earth" (dir. Ana-Ștefana Pop) follows a lonely grandmother and her grandson living in one of the most isolated mountain villages in Romania, and two stories collide in "Don't Walk Through Thorns" (dir. Dragoș Bota). In the latter, Cătălina spends a night with a man she met at a party and is taken aback when she learns that he doesn't remember anything that happened.
The Local Competition TIFF Award, worth 1,500 euros and sponsored by Banca Transilvania, along with production services valued at 15,000 euros for the director's next film project provided by Numa Film, will be awarded based on the jury's vote. The jury consists of three industry professionals: producer Irina Malcea, actor István Téglás, and director and screenwriter Mihai Mincan. They will also grant a Special Mention and post-production services valued at 7,000 euros, provided by Numa Film. The winner of the Local Competition will also receive the traditional prize from Leonidas, which includes chocolate for a year.
Films made by professionals or amateurs from Cluj or those who reside, study, or work in the geographical area of the county will be screened at the Local Competition Gala today, June 13, starting at 8:30 PM at the Military Circle. Admission is free upon online reservation through tiff.eventbook.ro.