TIFF.8 - 2009
The eighth edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival took place in Cluj-Napoca from May 29 to June 7, 2009. The festival presented more than 200 films, brought around 500 guests to Cluj and continued to expand its program through new sections, debates, special screenings, concerts and meetings with personalities from cinema, politics and the media. The 2009 edition also featured a memorable image campaign, built around a playful parody of western imagery and references to Brokeback Mountain. The poster and festival trailer featured Cuzin Toma and Andi Vasluianu as cinephile shepherds, turning the festival’s visual identity into an ironic and instantly recognizable comment on cinema, pop mythology and local spirit. Reviews of the edition explicitly noted the parody tone of the trailer and Andi Vasluianu’s presence in the campaign.
The edition opened with Tales from the Golden Age / Amintiri din Epoca de Aur, a collective film written by Cristian Mungiu and directed by Ioana Uricaru, Hanno Höfer, Răzvan Mărculescu, Constantin Popescu and Cristian Mungiu. The opening screening took place at Cinema Republica, in the presence of the directors, actors and film crew, marking one of the most anticipated Romanian premieres of the year. One of the central moments of the edition was the presence of Police, Adjective / Polițist, adjectiv, directed by Corneliu Porumboiu, fresh from its successful presentation at Cannes. The film became one of the major winners of the edition, sharing the Transilvania Trophy with the Norwegian production North / Nord, directed by Rune Denstad Langlo.
At the Meeting Point, on the terrace of the Cluj Art Museum, the festival organized TIFF Lounge, a space dedicated to daily meetings between audiences and guests. The program also included thematic days such as Roma Day, Hungarian Day, HBO Day and Romanian Film Days, as well as sections including Supernova, 3x3, No Limit, Shadows, Focus, Focus Moldova and the new documentary section What’s Up, Documentary?. The Drive-In screenings at Iulius Mall, introduced at the previous edition, were also continued in 2009.
Assumpta Serna – Spanish actress.
Corina Șuteu – cultural management expert and Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York.
Jim Stark – American producer, known for his collaborations with Jim Jarmusch.
Szabolcs Hajdu – Hungarian director.
Dan Făinaru – Israeli film critic of Romanian origin, contributor to Screen International.
Claudia Cardinale – guest of honour; recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to a personality of European cinema.
Florin Piersic – guest of honour; recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dan Pița – Romanian director; recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mircea Albulescu – Romanian actor; recipient of the Excellence Award.
Transilvania Trophy, awarded ex aequo: Police, Adjective / Polițist, adjectiv, directed by Corneliu Porumboiu, Romania, and North / Nord, directed by Rune Denstad Langlo, Norway.
Best Director: Barmak Akram, for Kabuli Kid / Copilul din Kabul, France / Afghanistan.
Best Cinematography: Philip Øgaard, for the cinematography of North / Nord, Norway.
Best Performance: the cast of La nana / The Maid, directed by Sebastián Silva, Chile / Mexico.
FIPRESCI Award: Kan door huid heen / Can Go Through Skin / Trece prin piele, directed by Esther Rots, Netherlands.
Audience Award: Machan, directed by Uberto Pasolini, Italy / Germany / Sri Lanka.
Excellence Award: Mircea Albulescu, Romania.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dan Pița, Romania.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Florin Piersic, Romania.
Lifetime Achievement Award presented to a personality of European cinema: Claudia Cardinale, Italy.
Award for Best Short Film in the Shadows Section: Danse Macabre, directed by Pedro Pires, Canada.
Romanian Days Award for Best Feature Film: The Other Irina / Cealaltă Irina, directed by Andrei Gruzsniczki, Romania.
Romanian Days Award for Best Short Film: For Him / Pentru el, directed by Stanca Radu, Romania.
Romanian Days Award for Best Debut: Constantin and Elena / Constantin și Elena, directed by Andrei Dăscălescu, Romania.
Romanian Days Jury Special Mention: Tales from the Golden Age / Amintiri din Epoca de Aur, directed by Ioana Uricaru, Hanno Höfer, Răzvan Mărculescu, Constantin Popescu and Cristian Mungiu, Romania.
HBO Award for Best Feature Screenplay: Acasă la tata, by Mimi Brănescu.
HBO Award for Best Short Film Screenplay: Trofeul „Oase Manciu”, by Octav Gheorghe.
HBO Award for Best Documentary Screenplay: Victoria, între 8 și 9, by Adrian Voicu.
Adevărul de Seară Readers’ Award, Cluj-Napoca edition, for Best Romanian Film: Police, Adjective / Polițist, adjectiv, directed by Corneliu Porumboiu.
Let’s Go Digital! Award for Best Film Produced in the LGD! Workshop: Stein Alaiv, made by Adrian Florin Ardelean, Mihai Nanu and Sergiu Zorger.