Palme d’Or–winning filmmaker Cristian Mungiu — whose latest film, “Fjord,” is Romania’s official submission for best international feature film at the Oscars — will be leading a delegation from his country at the upcoming American Film Market, where Romania has been set as the first-ever country of focus.
The AFM is launching this new initiative in partnership with the Creative Romanian Filmmakers (CRFM) umbrella group at this year’s market, running Nov. 10–15 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
The Romanian delegation will have a dedicated exhibition space at the Fairmont for meetings with international buyers and industry partners. Attending companies 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.
The initiative is being complemented by market screenings of Romanian films at the AMC Century City 15 cinema, including Moldovan filmmaker Igor Cobileanski’s psychological drama “Comatogen”; Andrei Dascalescu’s cycling journey documentary “Gone Guy”; Ligia Ciornei’s drama “Grounded,” which is set at the outbreak of war in Ukraine; and Valeriu Andriuta’s thriller “The Circle.”
Mungiu will be among speakers at a panel titled “Beyond the New Wave: Romania as Your Next Production Partner,” to be held Nov. 14 at the Fairmont. He will be joined onstage by Valentin Savu, general manager of the Romanian Office for Film and Investments in Culture; Alma Bacula, head of production and partner at Bucharest-based Icon Films; and prominent Romanian producers Iuliana Tarnovetchi, Gabriel Popescu and Ionuț Ionescu. The panel will explore opportunities for filming in Romania, partnering with local producers and accessing the country’s production incentives.
“This year, a Romanian film was awarded at every major festival,” Mungiu said in a statement. “I believe Romanian films have real potential in international markets — not only at festivals, but with a wider audience,” he added, noting that the awards-season campaign for “”Fjord” and its American theatrical release through Neon “look promising.”
“And not only is the Romanian cash rebate working again,” Mungiu continued. “We have also started a conversation with the Romanian authorities about providing upfront cash-flow financing for the rebate, and we hope to see concrete results as early as 2027.”
Commented Jackie Brenneman, head of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), which produces AFM: “Romania has been part of the AFM community for many years, and we’re proud to recognize its contributions to global cinema as our first-ever Country of Focus.”
“Since 2016, Creative Romanian Filmmakers has brought Romanian producers to the world’s most important film markets and festivals, and the American Film Market has always been a key stop on that journey,” said Mihai Lupu, managing director of Creative Romanian Filmmakers. “Being named Country of Focus this year is a milestone for our entire industry — an invitation to buyers, sales agents and producers to discover Romanian stories, talent and locations, and to build lasting partnerships with us.”
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