LIVE SCREENINGS August 15-17 ,2025

"Actors must act, writers must write, filmmakers must make films..., directors, producers, and audiences will come... That's Entertainment."

Bistrița România International Film Festival (BRIFF) continues to offer a platform for filmmakers worldwide to showcase their work. Over the past two editions, we’ve hosted screenings in locations such as the historic Teleki Castle, Gallery Garden, and Soho Music Hall. This year, we are expanding into new, unconventional spaces, offering audiences a fresh and dynamic festival experience across multiple settings.

In 2024, we screened 44 films from around the world. Throughout the year, we also hosted a retrospective series featuring the best films from all previous editions. For 2025, we will select 50 films, which will be showcased during the main festival or at special film evenings leading up to the event.

In addition to our film screenings, we’ve introduced a new Screenwriting Competition for short films. The top five scripts will be read and discussed by students from Bucharest Playhouse Acting School, with the screenwriters' consent.

All winners will receive OFFICIAL LAURELS and a category-specific ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE following the live event.

MAIN CATEGORIES:

BEST SHORT
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
BEST THRILLER SHORT
BEST HORROR SHORT
BEST DRAMA SHORT
BEST COMEDY SHORT
BEST Sci-Fi SHORT
BEST EXPERIMENTAL SHORT
BEST ANIMATION SHORT
BEST STUDENT SHORT
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
BEST ROMANIAN SHORT
BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT

TECHNICAL & PERFORMANCES CATEGORIES:

BEST DIRECTOR
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST SCREENWRITING
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS


IF YOU SUBMIT YOUR FILM, YOU AGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING RULES:
•FILMS MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE DATE THE PROJECT IS SUBMITTED.
•FILMS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH A PRIVATE LINK (VIMEO, YOUTUBE, FilmFreeway, SELF HOSTED). CURRENTLY, OTHER FORMAT IS NOT ACCEPTED.
•QUALITY STANDARDS MUST BE MET. BELOW 720P RESOLUTION, POOR AUDIO QUALITY, ETC WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.MINIMUM MINUTES 4. MAXIMUM MINUTES 32.
•FILMS CONTAINING ANY OTHER LANGUAGE THAN ENGLISH MUST HAVE ENGLISH SUBTITLES.
•HSF HAS NO PREMIERE STATUS REQUIREMENTS.
•ALL FEES ARE NON TRANSFERABLE AND NON REFUNDABLE.
•HSF MAY USE PORTIONS OF YOUR FILM (INCLUDING TRAILER/TEASER/STILL/POSTER) FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES.
•YOU MUST OWN THE RIGHTS ON YOUR FILM IN ORDER TO SUBMIT IT.
•FESTIVAL EVENT DATES AND TIMES MAY BE DELAYED OR CHANGED.
•A DCP COPY OF YOUR FILM MIGHT BE REQUESTED FOR THE LIVE EVENTS.

We are not liable for any copyright infringements or unauthorized usage and any conflict should be settled by the parties involved thereof.
You are responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity.
HSF can consider any film to be disqualified if the festival considers the content inappropriate. If you have any questions regarding this decision, feel free to contact us.

All submissions in personal categories required the name of the person and the category. You can easily send us this information in the cover letter at the FilmFreeway website.

Not all the submissions are selected for the official competition. Our Judges are free to make their own choices and no answers nor feedback will be given about not selected films.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • A professional and welcoming festival with great communication and a beautiful setting. Was honored to win Best Documentary here in 2024

    January 2025
  • Rita Martinos

    Thank you BRIFF for the selection and for your wonderful communication ! :)

    January 2025
  • Thank you for having our film!

    October 2024
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Charlotte !

  • BIG Thank you:@briff_film_festival 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊 for selecting and screening our film Precious Balance Walk! Looked like an awesome place and we love the combination of the film festival as a part of a larger arts festival (ArtCast TELEKY) that includes concerts, exhibitions, poetry, and workshops!

    September 2024
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Felicia!

  • Igor Neljak

    It was a pleasure to be part of the Bistrita Romania! Your team is extremely organized and attentive. From the very start, the experience has been nothing less than amazing. Looking forward to participating again! Thank you.

    September 2024
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Igor!