14/09/2023 - The Romanian festival will celebrate the magic of cinema across a variety of sections, including Competition, Panorama, Romanian Authors, History and Cinema, and Youth Voice

The countdown has begun for cinephiles and industry insiders alike, as the Bucharest International Film Festival (BIFF) is gearing up for the much-anticipated opening of its 19th edition. This hallmark event in the Bucharest film calendar promises to be a cinematic extravaganza like no other. With an impressive line-up of films representing diverse voices from around the world, BIFF 2023 is set to captivate audiences from 15-22 September at four remarkable venues across the city.

The festival will kick off with its official opening ceremony on 15 September. The opening night will feature a screening of Caravaggio’s Shadow [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], directed by the renowned Michele Placido. The film stars Riccardo Scamarcio as Caravaggio, Micaela Ramazzotti as Lena Antonietti and Louis Garrel as Ombra.

As is tradition, BIFF boasts a prestigious jury comprising luminaries from the world of cinema. Gunnar Bergdahl assumes the role of jury president, alongside Iulia Rugină and Catrinel Dănăiață, both esteemed directors and screenwriters. The jury is further enriched by the presence of film critics Shaïma Issaa and Dejan Petrović.

BIFF 2023 offers a diverse array of films categorised under sections like Competition, Panorama, Romanian Authors, History and Cinema, and Youth Voice. In addition to screenings, it invites attendees to participate in a series of engaging events, including Q&A sessions and workshops. Some of the highlights are as follows: on 16 September, after the screening of Who Killed Kenya by Nathan Lauer, a Q&A session with the film's production team will take place. On 17 September, actor Daniel Nuță will conduct a film acting workshop at 11 am at Cinema Muzeul Țăranului, followed by a Q&A session with director Liviu Mărghidan.

On 18 September, director Giacomo Abbruzzese will host a Q&A session at 6:30 pm, after the screening of Disco Boy [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Giacomo Abbruzzese
film profile] at Cinema Muzeul Țăranului. On 19 September, director Katharina Huber will hold a master class at 5:30 pm at the Goethe-Institut, followed by a Q&A session at 6:30 pm after the screening of Tótem [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Lila Avilés
film profile] at Cinema Union.

On 20 September, director Iulia Rugină will host a Q&A session after the screening of Playback [+see also:
film review
film profile] at 6:30 pm at Cinema Muzeul Țăranului. On 21 September, director Lila Avilés will conduct a Q&A session at 6:30 pm at Cinema Union, following the screening of Tótem. And on 22 September, the closing gala will take place at 7:30 pm at Cinema Muzeul Țăranului, featuring The Beast [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bertrand Bonello
film profile], directed by Bertrand Bonello.

The Bucharest International Film Festival is organised by the Charta Foundation and the Grigore Vasiliu Birlic Cultural Association, under the high patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Radu of Romania. It is supported by the Ministry of Culture and is organised in partnership with Bucharest City Hall through ARCUB - the Cultural Center of Bucharest.