The 25th edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) begins on Friday, and over the ten days of the event, attendees are invited to 210 films from 49 countries, as well as meetings with special guests from the film industry.

'The 25th edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival starts today (Friday - editor's note), and Cluj enters for 10 days into the rhythm of the largest film event in Romania. Between 12 and 21 June, the public can choose from 210 films from 49 countries - 172 feature films and 38 short films - screened in cinemas, alternative spaces and outdoor locations across the city. Special guests of TIFF.25 include legendary Italian actress Ornella Muti, actors Aidan Gillen and Sam Riley, British director Ben Wheatley, filmmaker Corneliu Porumboiu and actress Anda Onesa, alongside many other names from the film industry,' the organisers said in a press release on Friday.

The opening gala in Unirii Square is sold out, and more than 3,500 spectators are expected to kick off the anniversary edition.

During the evening, the national premiere of '3 Zile in Septembrie' ('3 Days in September'), directed by Tudor Giurgiu, will take place in the presence of the film crew.

At the same time, the audience will see an exclusive fragment from 'Nadia,' a documentary directed by Tudor Giurgiu, Cristian Pascariu and Tudor D. Popescu, currently in production, about the life and career of gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci, scheduled for release in 2027. The champion herself will be present in Unirii Square, alongside her mother, close friends and personalities from the world of film and sport.

'Among the already sold-out events are the Film Food and Film Food in the Orchard gastronomic experiences, as well as the cine-concerts Sleepless Night (directed by Boudewijn Koole) and Paris Asleep (directed by Rene Clair). On Saturday, screenings from the Official Competition begin, the festival's central section showcasing some of the most promising voices in contemporary cinema,' the organisers added.

In addition to exhibitions and concerts, the Museum of Art hosts Teen Spirit, a TIFF programme created by young people for young people. Alongside the film competition judged by teenagers, this year's edition offers an expanded programme of screenings, workshops, analogue fairs, sports activities, concerts, urban art interventions and meetings dedicated to topics relevant to the new generation.

This weekend also features the traditional 'Weekend at the Castle' at Banffy Castle in Bontida.

On Saturday at 21:45, audiences are invited to a screening of 'Amarga Navidad'/'Bitter Christmas,' the latest feature film by Pedro Almodovar.

On Sunday, at the same time, Banffy Castle hosts a special screening of 'Operatiunea Monstrul' ('Operation The Monster'), directed by Manole Marcus, marking 50 years since its premiere. The event will take place in the presence of two actors from the film, Ovidiu Schumacher, recently awarded a Gopo Lifetime Achievement Award, and Cristina Hoffman.

The first weekend of TIFF is also an opportunity to discover two new sections: 'The Pitch Black Anthology,' dedicated to black comedies, and '25 Years Later,' featuring ten top films that defined the early 2000s, which also coincides with the beginnings of TIFF.

TIFF is organised between 12 and 21 June by the Association for the Promotion of Romanian Film and the Transilvania Film Festival Association, with support from the Ministry of Culture, the National Centre of Cinematography, the Cluj-Napoca City Hall and Local Council and the Romanian Cultural Institute. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Marius Septimiu Avram; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)