Announcing the Lineup for the 12th Edition of the Romanian Film Festival Seattle

Seattle WA — The Romanian Film Festival Seattle is back for its 12th edition running November 7–9 2025 at SIFF Cinema Uptown. This year’s theme “Unifying Stories” highlights the cultural intersections that resonate beyond the borders of Romania and Moldova through a compelling lineup of nine feature and documentary films.

Founded in 2014 the festival has become a vital platform for showcasing bold thought-provoking and internationally acclaimed voices from Romanian cinema. With a mission to connect Romanian filmmakers with Seattle audiences the event offers a rare opportunity to experience contemporary storytelling from Eastern Europe.

Organized by the American Romanian Cultural Society (ARCS) in collaboration with Romania’s Cultural Association Control N the festival continues its role as a cultural bridge. This marks the second consecutive year of partnership between the two organizations.

2025 Film Lineup:

• The New Year That Never Came — dir. Bogdan Mureșanu

• TWST: Things We Said Today — dir. Andrei Ujică

• The Moromete Family 3: Father and Son — dir. Stere Gulea

• Comatogen — dir. Igor Cobileanski

• The Spruce Forest — dir. Tudor Giurgiu

• High School Thieves — dir. Tudor Petremarin

• Ink Wash — dir. Sarra Tsorakidis

• The Dream — dir. Cătălin Saizescu

• Moldovan Tales — dir. Vlad Bolgarin Evgheni Dudceac Natalia Shaufert Adriana Vasilcov Ioana Vatamanu-Margineanu

Special Guests:

• Tudor Giurgiu — Founder and President of the Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) Romania’s most prestigious film event. His recent works include Libertate / Freedom (2023) and Nasty (2024) a Cannes-premiered documentary on tennis legend Ilie Năstase.

• Natalia Shaufert — Moldovan-American playwright screenwriter and director known for internationally awarded films such as Ana Mother Nature You and Me and Resentment.

• Boróka Biró — Emerging cinematographer and Berlinale Talents alumna recognized for her work on The New Year That Never Came which won multiple awards at the Venice International Film Festival.

Join us for three days of cinematic discovery cultural dialogue and appearances by filmmakers and artists who are shaping the future of Romanian cinema.

The American Romanian Cultural Society (ARCS) is a nonprofit association striving to promote a better understanding of the rich culture of Central and Eastern Europe with an emphasis on Romania and the American Romanian cultural heritage in the Seattle area. Our signature event is the Romanian Film Festival in Seattle started in 2014 and now hosted at SIFF Cinema Uptown every year in November.

The cultural association Control N nurtures filmmaking education in Romania and creates bridges between local and international artists to support artistic debuts and creativity in performance arts. During its 15 years of activity Control N has become one of the most energetic organizers of cultural events in film theater dance photography and creative writing. 

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Smarthouse Creative