TIFF.3 - 2004
The festival took place from May 28 to June 6, 2004, in Cluj-Napoca, running for 10 days for the first time.
TIFF put Cluj on the map of major film events thanks to the presence of major stars of world cinema:
Julie Delpy – The acclaimed French actress and director, known for the Before Sunrise / Before Sunset films, was one of the festival’s most spectacular guests.
Rutger Hauer – The legendary Dutch actor, famous for his role in Blade Runner, attended the festival as a guest and also accepted the role of jury member.
The 2004 edition marked a historic turning point for the festival through the introduction of several events that would become defining traditions:
The first open-air screening: For the first time in TIFF history, screenings were organized under the open sky. The chosen location was the inner courtyard of Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB). This moment laid the groundwork for the large-scale screenings that would later take place in Piața Unirii.
The launch of the “Let’s Go Digital!” program: In 2004, this intensive workshop dedicated to teenagers passionate about film was inaugurated. The selected participants had the chance to learn digital production techniques and to shoot a short film during the festival.
Masterclasses with major guests: Rutger Hauer and Julie Delpy were not only red-carpet presences, but also held open Q&A sessions and highly popular workshops with students and young Romanian directors.
The 2004 Official Competition Jury brought together European-level experts and major names from Romanian cinema:
Rutger Hauer – Actor, Netherlands.
Margaret Von Schiller – Programmer at the Berlin Film Festival, Germany.
Shaila Rubin – Internationally renowned casting director, USA/Italy.
Cristian Mungiu – Romanian director, at the time still before his historic success with 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.
Dorel Vișan – Acclaimed Cluj-born actor, recipient of the Excellence Award at the previous edition.
The Transilvania Trophy: Days of Santiago (Días de Santiago), directed by Josué Méndez, Peru.
Best Director: Christoffer Boe for Reconstruction, Denmark.
Best Cinematography: Shandar Berkeshi for Koktebel, Russia.
Best Performance: Actor Pietro Sibille for his role in Days of Santiago, Peru.
FIPRESCI Award: Kitchen Stories, directed by Bent Hamer, Norway.
Audience Award: Christoffer Boe’s experimental romance Reconstruction, Denmark.
Shadows Section — Horror/Fantasy Short Films: Shadows, directed by Paul Fuller, United Kingdom.
Excellence Award: Presented to legendary Romanian actor Gheorghe Dinică for his outstanding career.
