Two Romanian films shared the first-ever Transilvania HBO Award during the industry awards ceremony at the Transilvania International Film Festival [1, 2].
The joint victory highlights the growing strength of Romania's cinematic pipeline and provides critical financial support for projects in the development stage. By recognizing two distinct works, the festival emphasizes a diverse range of artistic merit within its industry ecosystem.
Cristi Iftime, director of "The Fear’s Artist," and Marius Olteanu, director of "We Won’t Get Old Together," were named the dual recipients of the honor [1, 2]. Both projects were selected from the festival's Works in Progress program, which is designed to support films as they move toward completion.
The award includes a total prize of €30,000, which is approximately $34,400 [1]. The two filmmakers will share this funding to assist in the finalization of their respective projects.
The Transilvania International Film Festival serves as a primary hub for Romanian cinema to gain international visibility. The introduction of the HBO Award creates a formal bridge between independent production and major streaming or broadcast influence, a shift that could alter how Romanian films are distributed globally.
Industry observers said that the selection process focused on the potential of the films to resonate with both local and international audiences. Because the award is tied to the Works in Progress program, the funding is intended to ensure these films reach the screen with high production values [1, 2].
“Two Romanian films shared the first-ever Transilvania HBO Award”
The creation of the Transilvania HBO Award signals a strategic alignment between regional film festivals and global media giants. By funding projects in the 'Works in Progress' stage, HBO is investing in the early pipeline of European cinema, potentially securing future distribution rights or visibility for high-quality Romanian content in the international market.
