As one long-time attendee from Romania shared, “I was deeply moved to see how each culture, with its unique richness and depth, reveals its own way of understanding life. Despite the diversity of languages and traditions, the films spoke of the same essential human values that I recognise in my own culture and language.” This sentiment captures the essence of Film O’Clock – a festival that celebrates diversity while emphasising our shared humanity.

Having just unspooled its fifth edition, the Film O’Clock International Festival continues to bridge cultures and time zones with its unique synchronous screenings and thoughtfully curated programme. Held from 3-6 April, this year’s event marked a significant milestone and explored resonant themes, with a particular focus on Polish cinema, and the transformative power of archives in healing and memory preservation.

The festival brought together countries such as Romania, Lithuania, Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Greece, Egypt, South Africa, Serbia, Hungary and Poland. This cross-border experience created an extraordinary opportunity to feel connected across the globe. The simultaneous screenings allowed participants to transcend geographical boundaries, uniting them in a shared cinematic experience that was rare and deeply moving.

This year, the festival showcased 38 films through 94 screenings, encompassing both contemporary masterpieces and timeless classics. Founded by filmmaker and researcher Mirona Radu, Film O’Clock has blossomed from a mere experiment into a thriving community – a space where cinema transcends borders and time, reminding those present of our universal connections.

A highlight this year was the Romanian-language premiere of the Polish podcast Celluloid Solidarity, created by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Featuring inspiring figures such as Hanna Polak, Hanna Nobis, Zuzanna Solakiewicz, Nikola Radic and Ion Indolean, the event served as a powerful testament to what Film O’Clock embodies: cultivating dialogue and constructing bridges between cultures. Hearing these professionals share their narratives and perspectives was profoundly uplifting and underscored the festival’s dedication to solidarity through the medium of film.

In the classic section, Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Camera Buff emerged as a timeless exploration of human relationships and ethical dilemmas, sparking meaningful discussions across audiences in the 11 countries. The competitive section also showcased talented emerging Polish filmmakers, with works like Hushes and Phonics and From You receiving recognition from the jury through an award and a Special Mention, acknowledging their way of offering fresh perspectives and emotional depth.

A central highlight was the academic conference “Archives, Cinema and Collective Healing”, organised in collaboration with the National Academy of Theatre and Film IL Caragiale in Bucharest. This event brought together scholars, filmmakers and archivists to explore the role of cinema as a vessel for memory and a tool for addressing collective traumas.

A particularly powerful presentation was delivered by Kuba Mikurda, whose documentary Solaris Mon Amour was exceptionally screened in Bucharest. Mikurda’s work served as a poignant meditation on loss and reconciliation, demonstrating how archives can bridge generational gaps and foster understanding.

Radu, reflecting on the conference, noted: “As a researcher of visual memory, I found this experience profoundly enriching. It reinforced my belief in cinema’s potential as a therapeutic medium. The discussions reminded us of our responsibility to preserve and interpret stories that heal and inspire.”

As the festival ended, its impact was clear – not just in terms of the films that were shown, but also in the conversations they sparked. Film O’Clock remains dedicated to expanding its reach and deepening cultural exchanges. Future editions will introduce new initiatives, including a feature-film competition, creative workshops and thematic debates.

The fifth edition of Film O’Clock was produced by Creatrix Fama and was co-financed by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund in Romania (AFCN). It was organised under the auspices of Solidarity on Screen – Polish Presidency Film Review, part of the international cultural programme of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2025.

For a closer look at this year’s highlights, including interviews with Polish professionals and the curated programme, visit the Film O’Clock website. As Radu succinctly put it: “Cinema is a mirror, a bridge and a call to action. Through storytelling, we connect, reflect, imagine, and then create a better world together.”