Key Facts
The Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) concluded its 25th edition on June 21, 2026, with Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saiz's debut feature 'Lionel' winning the prestigious Transilvania Trophy. The festival, held in Cluj, Romania, from June 12 to 21, celebrated cinematic diversity with awards across multiple sections.
Details of the Win
Carlos Saiz's 'Lionel' is an intimate drama exploring the strained relationship between a young man and his father, who have been separated by years of absence and misunderstanding. The film follows their journey to rebuild their bond. Accepting the award at the historic National Theater in Cluj, Saiz said: 'This is a film about family and second chances, but above all, it is a film that brings to the forefront people whose stories rarely make it to the screen. Thank you for helping us give them visibility and for honoring them with this award.'
Jury and Other Awards
The main competition jury comprised veteran Irish actor Aidan Gillen ('Game of Thrones'), Romanian filmmaker Noaz Deshe, Polish distributor Roman Gutek, Netherlands Film Fund CEO Sandra den Hamer, and Serbian Romanian filmmaker Ivana Mladenović. Other notable winners include:
- Best Director: Konstantina Kotzamani for 'Titanic Ocean', a fantastical pop odyssey about adolescence that premiered at Cannes' Un Certain Regard.
- Special Jury Award: 'Our Father' by Goran Stanković, about a drug addict under an abusive priest at a remote monastery.
- Best Performance: The cast of Muriel d'Ansembourg's 'Truly Naked' — Caolán O'Gorman, Andrew Howard, Alessa Savage, and Safiya Benaddi.
Romanian Days and Documentary Awards
In the Romanian Days competition, the best feature film award went to 'Y' by Maria Popistașu and Alex Baciu, exploring a dark chapter in Romania's recent past. Best debut was awarded to Cristian Bota's 'Back and Forth', about a young actor confronting his past with his authoritarian father. The What's Up, Doc? section top prize went to 'Memory' by Vladlena Sandu, a hybrid documentary revisiting her childhood during the Chechen War, which previously won awards at Venice, Marrakech, and SXSW London.
Audience and Special Awards
Hungarian filmmaker Gábor Holtai won the audience award for the thriller 'Feels Like Home', while 'Wild Delta' by Dan Dinu was named most popular Romanian film. The TIFF.25 Trophy, celebrating the festival's 25th anniversary, was awarded to Corneliu Porumboiu, a leading figure of the Romanian New Wave.
What Readers Should Know
The Transilvania Film Festival continues to be a significant platform for emerging and established filmmakers from around the world. 'Lionel' marks a promising debut for Carlos Saiz, highlighting themes of family and redemption. The festival's diverse awards underscore its commitment to showcasing unique voices in cinema.
FAQ
Which film won the top prize at the Transilvania Film Festival 2026?
Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saiz's father-son drama 'Lionel' won the Transilvania Trophy.
Who were the jury members at the Transilvania Film Festival?
The main competition jury included Aidan Gillen, Noaz Deshe, Roman Gutek, Sandra den Hamer, and Ivana Mladenović.
What other awards were given at the festival?
Best director went to Konstantina Kotzamani for 'Titanic Ocean', Special Jury Award to 'Our Father', and best performance to the cast of 'Truly Naked'.