Romania Becomes First Country of Focus at American Film Market

The American Film Market, traditionally known for its focus on mainstream cinema, is making a significant shift toward arthouse recognition by naming Romania as its first-ever Country of Focus. This designation will take center stage during next week's market, scheduled for November 10 through 15 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

The initiative is driven by the national film industry group Creative Romanian Filmmakers, or CRFM. The organization is bringing a substantial delegation of filmmakers, producers, and production companies to the event. Their primary objectives are to present recent films and to engage with industry executives regarding shooting locations and international co-production opportunities.

Jackie Brenneman, President and CEO of the Independent Film and Television Alliance which produces the market, highlighted the long-standing relationship between the two entities. She stated that Romania has been part of the AFM community for many years. Brenneman expressed pride in recognizing the country's contributions to global cinema as the inaugural Country of Focus. She noted that, together with CRFM, the alliance looks forward to showcasing the country's exceptional talent and opportunities for international collaboration.

Mihai Lupu, the managing director of CRFM, described the selection as a major milestone for the Romanian film industry. He pointed out that since 2016, CRFM has brought Romanian producers to major global film markets and festivals, with the American Film Market always being a key stop. Lupu viewed the new status as an invitation for buyers, sales agents, and producers to discover Romanian stories, talent, and locations, aiming to build lasting partnerships.

A prominent figure in the delegation is director Cristian Mungiu, who will attend with his drama Fjord. The film, which won the Palme d'Or, stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve. It has been selected as Romania's official entry for the Oscar in the best international feature category. Industry observers consider it a strong candidate for the Academy long-list, which is set to be announced on December 15.

Mungiu emphasized the growing international potential of Romanian cinema. He noted that this year saw a Romanian film awarded at every major festival. He believes these films have real potential not only at festivals but also with wider international audiences. In this context, he described the awards season campaign and the North American theatrical release of Fjord as promising endeavors.

During the market, Mungiu will also advocate for Romania as a filming location. He noted that the Romanian cash rebate is functioning again. Furthermore, he mentioned that discussions have begun with Romanian authorities regarding upfront cash-flow financing for the rebate. He expressed hope that concrete results from these discussions could be seen as early as 2027.

On Saturday, November 14, Mungiu will participate in a panel titled Beyond the New Wave: Romania as Your Next Production Partner. The session will run from 4:00 to 5:00 PM on the Constellation Stage at the Fairmont Century Plaza. He will be joined by Valentin Savu, General Manager of the Romanian Office for Film and Investments in Culture, and Alma Bacula, Head of Production and Partner at Icon Films. Leading producers Iuliana Tarnovetchi, Gabriel Popescu, and Ionuț Ionescu will also attend to discuss filming opportunities and access to local incentives.

The market will feature screenings of four Romanian films at the AMC Century City 15. These titles include Comatogen by Igor Cobileanski, Gone Guy by Andrei Dascalescu, Grounded by Ligia Ciornei, and The Circle by Valeriu Andriuta. A dedicated exhibition space in suites 1005 and 1037 at the Fairmont Century Plaza will host various Romanian companies for meetings.

Several Romanian production and service companies will be present at the event. These include Augmented Films, Bullsrecords, Idea Film, Nomad Films Global, Profesional Film Partners, Quantum Media Creative, Frame Film, Mavish Ask, Negrea Visuals, Sýmbolon, and Tarnovski Marketing Consultancy. Their participation underscores the broad scale of the Romanian delegation attending this year's American Film Market.