Founded in 2002, the Transilvania International Film Festival has grown to become the country's most important film event. Up until 2009 it was the only film festival in Romania to showcase foreign films. In 2010, film industry and review website IndieWire which focuses on independent film listed TIFF as one of the world's 50 leading film festivals.
In 2011, TIFF was accredited by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations) as a competitive specialized film festival for first and second feature films. FIAPF accreditation is regarded as a stamp of approval in the filmmaking world.
The main goal of TIFF is to promote the art of cinema by presenting some of the most innovative films noted for their originality and independence of expression. The program of the festival is expanding each year, attracting more and more attendees. For example, Transilvania IFF 2016 screened 248 films from 64 countries and drew 79,000 film lovers and 1,100 industry professionals (actors, filmmakers, producers, distributors and festival programmers).
Film screenings and other events are held in about 20 venues around Cluj-Napoka. Alongside screenings, the festival hosts a series of industry events called TIFF Industry (including special programs for emerging filmmakers, Transilvania Talent Lab and Transilvania Pitch Stop) and educational programs for children and teenagers, EducaTIFF and Let's Go Digital!
TIFF is a competitive film festival that hosts an international competition for first and second feature films. The winners are chosen by the festival's international jury. The best film in the official competition is awarded the Transilvania Trophy. Other awards presented at the festival include Best Director, Special Jury Award, Best Cinematography, Best Actor or Actress, FIPRESCI Award, Audience Award, Excellence Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and more.
Past recipients of Transilvania IFF's Lifetime Achievement Award include famous actors and filmmakers from different countries such as Franco Nero, Nicolas Roeg, Vanessa Redgrave, Udo Kier, Annie Girardot, Claudia Cardinale, Catherine Deneuve, Michael York, Jacqueline Bisset, Marin Karmitz, Wim Wenders, Geraldine Chaplin, Claude Lelouch, Debra Winger, Nastassja Kinski, Sophia Loren, and others.
Photo: tiff.ro
