Free access, special screenings & donation campaign for the Ukrainian community at TIFF festival in Romania

Romania’s Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) announced the launch of a special initiative dedicated to the Ukrainian community and filmmakers. As such, as part of the TIFF for Ukraine initiative, Ukrainian citizens will benefit from free access to film screenings. In addition, the festival’s program will include films created by directors from Ukraine, concerts by Ukrainian musicians, and a donation campaign.

The lineup of TIFF 2022 includes Reflection (2021), directed by Valentyn Vasyanovych, which tells the story of Serhiy, a Ukrainian surgeon captured by the Russian forces in the conflict area in the East of the country, where he is exposed to all the horrors of war. After being released, he tries to resume his life with his family, but this endeavour often proves to be impossible.

Another special screening will present Rhino (2021), directed by Oleg Sentsov. The Ukrainian filmmakerwas arrested in 2014 after protesting against the annexation of Crimea by Russia and convicted to 20 years in prison by a Russian court under the accusation of a terrorist plot. On September 7, 2019, he was set free in a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.

EducaTIFF, the festival's section dedicated to children and teenagers, will include films with Ukrainian subtitles. Also, Ukrainian citizens will have free access to all festival films screened in the Unirii Square in Cluj-Napoca, based on their ID.

Moreover, the organizers also said that Ukrainian musicians would hold concerts throughout the festival, and one of TIFF 2022 days will be dedicated to traditional food.

In addition, festival guests and spectators will be encouraged to support the Ukrainian film industry with a text-to-donate campaign.All funds raised during the campaign will be distributed to the industry professionals with the help of the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR), a body established by the European Film Academy together with the Amsterdam International Film Festival and Rotterdam International Film Festival.

The full schedule and details on TIFF For Ukraine will soon be released on the official channels of the festival.

TIFF 2022 will take place in Cluj-Napoca between June 17 and June 26.

(Photo: TIFF 2020; photo by Chris Nemes)