Good news for movie lovers: The 19th edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival will take place between July 31 and August 9! Postponed by restrictive anti-pandemic measures adopted this spring, TIFF returns with a summer edition featuring outdoor screenings; adapted programming; and a relaxed, holiday atmosphere. Both the opening and closing nights will take place in the Mátyás/Unirii Square in the heart of Cluj-Napoca.
“It will be a privilege to be with our audience who has supported us and looked forward to the festival throughout these months of isolation. We are prepared to apply all protection measures adopted by authorities for open-air screenings, and we hope that the measures for screenings in movie theaters will also be confirmed shortly,” said TIFF President Tudor Giurgiu.
Outdoor screenings will be organized in clearly delineated spaces, with chairs set apart at the appropriate distance. There will also be designated aisles to allow for emergency access if needed.
Transilvania IFF audiences will get to see films in the Open Air cinemas set up in Unirii Square, Iulius Mall, Arkhai Sculpture Park in Magyarfenes/Vlaha, Bánffy Castle in Bonchida/Bonțida and the courtyard of the French Institute.
Screenings in theaters will be planned only after local authorities adopt the necessary measures for cinemas; these are expected to be in line with most European guidelines, permitting up to 50 percent occupancy rates.
“We started the year off with so many ideas for new programs, but as the size of the festival will have to be reduced this year, we will keep some of those ideas for next year when hopefully things return to normal […] Even if #staysafe remains the order of the day this year, films that take risks continue to occupy a privileged space in our festival,” said TIFF Artistic Director Mihai Chirilov.
