Private Project

Eliza

Eliza is a short film that tells the story of a 9-year old orphan girl with the Down syndrome, named Eliza, who is taken from the orphanage by Magda over the winter holidays. Magda is a woman with severe health problems and she will have to abandon Eliza for this reason. However, in her heart, Eliza never stops seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

​The film aims to raise awareness on the struggle of orphans feeling abandonment, as well as to inspire a higher level of acceptance leading to a smoother integration in society for children with Down Syndrome who are gifted with amazing abilities, as Anisia Drumea demonstrates playing the role of Eliza.

  • Florin Babei
    Director
    Love Bus; Pedigree; Quaranteen
  • Constantin Cosma
    Writer
  • Constantin Cosma
    Producer
  • Anisia Drumea
    Key Cast
    "Eliza"
  • Iulia Lumanare
    Key Cast
    "Magda"
  • Adina Stetcu
    Key Cast
    "Neti"
  • Dana Voicu
    Key Cast
    "The Nurse"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 11 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 8, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    29,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Romania
  • Country of Filming:
    Romania
  • Language:
    Romanian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • LA Shorts International Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    July 11, 2021
    World
    Official Selection
  • Toronto Shorts International Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    November 13, 2021
    Canada
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Florin Babei

Florin Babei was born on July 3, 1989 in Cernavoda-Constanta, Romania. He is a writer and director known for Love Bus: cinci povesti de dragoste din Bucuresti (2014) segment Unirii.

Upon graduating film directing in 2012 at "U.N.A.T.C" I.L Caragiale in Bucharest, he worked as an Editor, Motion Graphic artist and Director for many projects. Today, Florin is a Bucharest based Director with nearly a decade of industry experience that encompasses narrative films, music videos, branded content, and documentaries. Florin has directed both branded content and music videos for commercial clients that include Mercedes, IKEA, AVON, Netflix, Orange, KissFm, Samsung and many more.

His films cover a wide range of interests, but he has a passion for narrative films that tell stories about troubled teenagers including "Love Bus-Unirii" (2014) about a teenager who is having a one night stand, after being rejected by his virgin girlfriend, played in theaters and available on Netflix. F.R.A (2015) a 35 mm film which tells the story of two brothers who get close when they get in trouble after shooting people on the street with a paintball gun. Cu capsa pusa (2016) a comedy about Cupid who gaves up his job to find, real love, awarded with best film and best director at 48h film festival. His films were selected in festivals like ARCIPELAGO Rome - International Festival of Short Films, SEE Film Festival Paris, Transilvania Film festival and St. Petersburg Beginning.

Currently, Florin is working on Quaranteen, a short film in post production, telling the story of a carefree teenager who is having fun by breaking the rules of the pandemic.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The first time I read the script I felt it was a rare opportunity to work on. The kind of project with a deeply meaningful subject and special characters. I discussed with the producer and I immediately accepted directing this short even though I was aware it was going to be a very challenging project.

I enjoy working with children and I have a lot of patience with them. However, it was an unexpected experience working with Anisia, the girl with Down syndrome who plays the role of Eliza. I had to enter her world and first of all to understand a new language and to completely change my approach. Anisia pleasantly surprised me during the filming as she has a very good memory and was effortlessly able to say all the lines exactly as in the script. In spite of some delays on the first shooting day which limited the filming time, as well as the conditions on the set being special due to the pandemic, we managed to stick to the schedule.

I collaborated very well with the entire team and worked easily with the professional actresses who understood very well the project and managed to have a very good chemistry with Anisia. I would not have succeeded without the work and dedication of the entire team.