It’s hard to say goodbye to such an exciting project
as the Romanian Film Festival in London. Yet this is what we have to do now, as
the Festival’s fifth day drew to a close. But do not worry, the work for the 10th edition – a special anniversary one – has just started.
The fifth day saw the screening of an excellent, heartfelt film in the Auditorium of the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development): Medal of Honour by Calin Peter Netzer. It features a magisterial performance from Victor Rebengiuc, supported by a cast of great Romanian actors, such as Camelia Zorlescu, Radu Beligan, Ion Lucian (all highly regarded and respected names of the stage and screen).
The screening was preceded by a wine reception offered by the hosts, EBRD, and a presentation and discussion with Victor Rebengiuc on the subject of the film. The Auditorium was full with fans and friends of Romanian cinema and culture who took part in the Q&A sessions both before and after the screening, and applauded maestro Rebengiuc’s performance.
As an event producer, I can say that nothing can make me happier than to see the audience really enjoying the event. But I’m lying: I feel even better because I know maestro Rebengiuc, the honoured guest of Festival, enjoyed himself as well, and he enjoyed meeting the London audience again, after his previous visits in the Festival in 2003 and 2010.
This being said, I would like to thank you all for your interest in Romanian film. We had a great audience for all the screenings, with two fully booked screenings where we had to apologise to our friends for not being able to take them all in for the show.
Many, many thanks, are also due to all the Festival Guests: Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur, stars of Beyond the Hills, Rodica Lazăr starring in Principles of Life, Mihaela Sîrbu from Everybody in Our Family, Ana Ularu from Periferic, actor extraordinaire Victor Rebengiuc who returned to greet his London fans for a special screening of ‘Medal of Honour’, author and journalist Liviu Antonesei, a long-term friend, supporter, and adviser of the Festival, Eugen Șerbănescu, President of the National Centre of Cinematography in Bucharest, the traditional partner of the Festival, and Alina Sălcudeanu, the Centre’s Head of International Relations.
A ton of thanks to the Festival Partners who, together with Profusion International Creative Consultancy, made sure this edition would take place: The National Centre of Cinematography in Bucharest and Curzon Cinemas in London.
Also, grateful thanks to the Festival Sponsors and Supporters, without whom all this would have been impossible:
ROMANi ONLiNE, EuroTop, Levenes, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, O2, The Embassy of Romania in London, DNS Associates, Lycamobile, Universal Business Travel Ltd, Mihai Eminescu Trust, Prodan Romanian Cultural Foundation, Albinuta.co.uk SGS Creative Services, Trasys, Diaspora Romaneasca, Stylewhiz, TibTrans, Ziarul Romanesc, Anuntul.co.uk, British Romanian Chamber of Commerce, Romanian Business Club, Artificial Eye
There. are many people the Festival would like to thank. For the full list, please see http://www.rofilmfest.com/c/23/acknowledgements