The European Film Market (EFM, 12-18 February) has announced the recipients of the 2026 EFM Distributor Award: Monica Felea and Ştefan Bradea, founders of Romanian distribution outfit Bad Unicorn. The award, which comes with a €7,500 cash prize sponsored by Fintage House, a global leader in music, film and TV rights management, will be presented during the EFM kick-off event on 11 February.

Established to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked contribution of European arthouse distributors, the EFM Distributor Award acknowledges professionals who play a decisive role in ensuring that films reach audiences across diverse and frequently challenging markets. In Romania, where the number of cinema screens per capita remains among the lowest in the EU, this task is particularly demanding.

Reacting to the announcement, Felea and Bradea reflected on the origins of their journey as distributors: “Nine years ago, here at the Berlinale, we discovered a film that touched our hearts: On Body and Soul [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Ildiko Enyedi
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scheda film]. We decided then to become distributors of auteur films, even though we were aware that the Romanian market is not an easy one at all. Here we are again, nine years later, with a portfolio of over 60 titles and over 900,000 admissions. We did it! We are delighted and honoured to get this award. You feel seen and appreciated. The job of a distributor is one done in the shadows – you don't see it on the red carpet or on stage, but it is essential for arthouse films. Without distributors throughout Europe, films would not reach the public, and the emotion experienced in the cinema is a unique one that nothing can match.”

Vaucia Pahlad, COO of Fintage House, emphasised the importance of celebrating distribution work at the European level: “Fintage House is dedicated to supporting filmmakers globally – from the heart of Europe to the furthest corners of the world. We proudly sponsor the Distributor Award because European arthouse distributors are the bridge between the daring storytellers and the audiences who need them. Fintage House honours their resilience and leadership in safeguarding cinema and our global collective culture. Through their dedication, arthouse films, documentaries and emerging talents find the homes they deserve.”

The three-member jury – comprising Dorothee Pfistner (head of Acquisitions, Neue Visionen Filmverleih), Marta Fernandes (head of Distribution and Acquisitions, Midas Filmes) and Nicolai Korsgaard (sales director, TrustNordisk) – praised the winners’ sustained commitment to audience-building under difficult conditions. Their statement reads: “In a country like Romania, which has one of the lowest numbers of cinema screens per capita in the EU, securing screens and building audiences for European arthouse cinema is a genuine challenge. Yet Monica Felea and Ştefan Bradea, of Bad Unicorn, consistently demonstrate an exceptional level of commitment to their carefully curated line-up, which in recent years has included titles such as Sentimental Value [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Gints Zilbalodis
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intervista: Eden Dambrine
intervista: Lukas Dhont
intervista: Lukas Dhont
scheda film] and The Zone of Interest [+leggi anche:
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“For each release, they design tailored and innovative distribution campaigns, constantly seeking new ways to reach audiences and foster meaningful engagement with the public. Their creativity, perseverance and deep belief in the power of cinema allow these films to find their place even within a highly challenging market.

“Bad Unicorn’s spirit and dedication to promoting European arthouse cinema in a territory as demanding as Romania make them truly deserving of this award. We hope it not only celebrates the remarkable work they have accomplished so far, but also serves as an encouragement to continue their passionate and inspiring distribution journey.”

Founded by Felea and Bradea, Bad Unicorn releases between 12 and 15 titles annually, devoting extensive time and resources to each campaign. They’ve distributed titles like Perfect Days [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Dag Johan Haugerud
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scheda film], Sentimental Value, Romería [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Carla Simón
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intervista: Ildikó Enyedi
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scheda film]. The company has quickly established itself as a key player in the Romanian arthouse landscape.