TIFF.7 - 2008
The seventh edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival took place in Cluj-Napoca from May 30 to June 8, 2008. The festival presented approximately 200 films from 40 countries, screened in 8 venues: the Republica, Arta, Victoria and Echinox cinemas, the National Theatre, Cinema Enigma, the Cluj Art Museum Gallery and a Drive-In Cinema, presented at the time as the first of its kind in Romania.
The 2008 edition revolved around the number 7 and the James Bond imaginary. For its image campaign, TIFF reinterpreted the mythology of Agent 007 through a local lens, featuring seven Romanian actors — Andi Vasluianu, Gabriel Spahiu, Mimi Brănescu, Vlad Ivanov, Florin Piersic Jr., Tudor Chirilă and Anamaria Marinca — photographed in poses inspired by Bond posters, but transformed into outlaws. The campaign also included seven trailers directed by filmmakers such as Radu Muntean, Corneliu Porumboiu, Nae Caranfil, Bogdan Mustață, Tudor Giurgiu, Adrian Sitaru and Paul Negoescu.
The festival opened with Funny Games, Michael Haneke’s psychological thriller. Among the special moments of the edition were the gala screenings dedicated to Romanian films arriving directly from Cannes: Megatron, Marian Crișan’s short film, fresh from winning the Palme d’Or for Short Film, and Boogie, Radu Muntean’s feature, presented in the Directors’ Fortnight. Also arriving in Cluj from Cannes was Delta, Kornél Mundruczó’s film, winner of the FIPRESCI Award.
One of the most important moments of the edition was the presence of actress Catherine Deneuve, guest of honour of the festival, who came to Cluj for the special screening of Changing Times / Les temps qui changent, directed by André Téchiné, and to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Closing Gala. The same distinction was also awarded to Tamara Buciuceanu-Botez, while Radu Beligan received the TIFF Excellence Award.
Beyond the film screenings, the edition included workshops, seminars, meetings with filmmakers, art and photography exhibitions by artists such as Cosmin Bumbuț, Sorin Spoială and Sorin Tara, as well as concerts at the TIFF Meeting Point in the courtyard of the Cluj Art Museum, featuring Elvis Romano, Popivan, Gândul Mâței and Kumm.
Corneliu Porumboiu – Romanian director.
Marie-Pierre Macia – French producer, former director of the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight.
Sebastián Lelio – Chilean director, winner of the Transilvania Trophy in 2007 with La sagrada familia.
Michael Fitzgerald – American producer.
Jay Weissberg – film critic and contributor to Variety.
Catherine Deneuve – guest of honour; recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tamara Buciuceanu-Botez – recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Radu Beligan – recipient of the TIFF Excellence Award.
Marian Crișan – present with Megatron, the Cannes-awarded short film.
Radu Muntean – present with Boogie, selected for the Directors’ Fortnight.
Kornél Mundruczó – present with Delta, winner of the FIPRESCI Award at Cannes.
Transilvania Trophy: Shakespeare and Victor Hugo’s Intimacies / Intimidades de Shakespeare y Victor Hugo, directed by Yulene Olaizola, Mexico.
Best Director: Go with Peace Jamil / Ma salama Jamil, directed by Omar Shargawi, Denmark.
Special Jury Award: Lake Tahoe / ¿Te acuerdas de Lake Tahoe?, directed by Fernando Eimbcke, Mexico.
Best Cinematography: Autumn Ball / Sügisball, directed by Veiko Õunpuu, Estonia.
Best Performance: Péter Haumann, Péter Rudolf and Milan Schruff, for their roles in The Adventurers / Kalandorok, directed by Béla Paczolay, Hungary.
FIPRESCI Award: La Rabia, directed by Albertina Carri, Argentina.
Audience Award: I Always Wanted to Be a Gangster / J’ai toujours rêvé d’être un gangster, directed by Samuel Benchetrit, France.
Excellence Award: Radu Beligan, Romania.
Lifetime Achievement Award for a European Cinema Personality: Catherine Deneuve, France.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Tamara Buciuceanu-Botez, Romania.
HBO Award for Best Feature Screenplay: The Japanese Dog / Câinele japonez, by Ioan Antoci, Romania.
Romanian Days Award for Best Short Film: (Boredom and) Inspiration / (Plictis și) Inspirație, directed by Igor Cobileanski, Romania / Moldova.
Romanian Days Award for Best Feature Film: Flower Bridge / Podul de flori, directed by Thomas Ciulei, Romania.
Romanian Days Award for Best Debut: Elevator, directed by George Dorobanțu, Romania.
Award for Best Short Film in the Shadows Section: RIP / Veșnica pomenire, directed by Bruno Collet, France.
Let’s Go Digital! Award for Best Film Produced in the LGD! Workshop: Puzzle, made by Elena Radu, Constantin Sorin Bazga and Péter Farkas, Romania.
