After the collapse of the communist regime in 1989, Romania's state-
funded film industry underwent a dramatic transformation. Faced with newly found freedom, but scarce funding, Romanian filmmakers were quick to adapt to capitalist realities. Alongside well established names, a whole new generation of filmmakers emerged which brought a wealth of fresh stories to the big screen. Their innovative films were inspired by a variety of sources: real life events, literary adaptations, theater plays. Many emerged as original screenplays. The funding environment also changed significantly: some films are privately funded or produced with the help of government grants, while others are international co-productions.

This edition of the Romanian Film Festival at Stanford will screen some of the most recent and successful productions of these Romanian filmmakers.

Director Florin Serban will be attending the festival with his feature film ”If I Want To Whistle I Whistle”, which premiered at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival, winning the Silver Bear and the Alfred Bauer Prize for innovation in filmmaking.

The festival invites viewers to discuss and reflect upon the multifaceted implications of the transition from communism to capitalism. It also brings forth the various connotations of the concept of "adaptation" with regard to Romanian filmmakers.

Click here for the festival's schedule.

The event is presented by CREEES (Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies), Stanford University, the Special Language Program at Stanford University (SLP) and the Institute of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies at the University of California, Berkeley (ISEEES) in conjunction with Romanian Cultural Institute, Bucharest, Romania, the Film & Media Studies, Department of Art and Art History, Stanford University, and the Romanian Student Association, Stanford University, with additional support from the Language Center, Stanford University, Honorary Consulate of Romania in San Francisco, the Drama Department at Stanford University, Fundatia Arte Vizuale, HiFilm Productions, Blue Collar Films, Casa Romana (Bay Area Romanian Community), and the "Nicolae Tonitza" High School, Bucharest, Romania, and sponsored by the Stanford Graduate Student Council , Billie Achilles Fund, Bechtel International Center, and Coupa Café, Palo Alto.

All films will be screened in Romanian with English subtitles.
Seating is limited so please arrive early.
FREE ADMISSION