Weekend at the Castle at Transilvania IFF.25: Pedro Almodóvar’s New Film and Operation „The Monster” Screened on 35mm Film
Weekend at the Castle, the Transilvania International Film Festival programme that transforms Bánffy Castle in Bonțida into one of Romania’s most spectacular open-air cinemas, returns this year with two evenings dedicated to special cinematic experiences. On June 13 and 14, audiences at Transilvania IFF.25 (June 12–21, 2026, Cluj-Napoca) are invited to two event screenings: a special preview of Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film and a celebration of one of Romania’s most beloved comedies, screened exactly as audiences experienced it half a century ago – on film.
On Saturday, June 13, at 9:30 PM, audiences will have the opportunity to see Bitter Christmas, Pedro Almodóvar’s latest feature, in a special preview screening. The film premiered in the Official Competition at Cannes.
Elsa (Bárbara Lennie), a commercial director, tries to cope with the death of her mother by immersing herself in work, until a severe migraine forces her to take a break and go on holiday with her friend Patricia. Attempting to reconnect with her creative writing, she begins transforming the dramas of those around her into artistic material.
Running parallel is another narrative thread centered on Raúl (Leonardo Sbaraglia), a filmmaker struggling with creative block who begins writing Elsa’s story itself — perhaps turning her into his own alter ego. With stories reflecting one another, autofiction, humour, melodrama, and unforgettable characters (including a boyfriend who is both a stripper and a firefighter), Bitter Christmas promises to be one of Almodóvar’s most personal and self-reflective films to date.
On Sunday, June 14, at 9:30 PM, Weekend at the Castle continues with Operation Monster, the classic Romanian comedy directed by Manole Marcus, screened to mark the 50th anniversary of its premiere. Considered one of Romania’s most beloved adventure comedies, the film brings together Toma Caragiu, Octavian Cotescu, and Marin Moraru in a fishing expedition that became legendary for generations of audiences. The screening will take place in the presence of actors Ovidiu Schumacher (recent recipient of the Gopo Award for Lifetime Achievement) and Cristina Hoffman.
The screening will take place on 35mm film using a Kinoton projector — part of the last generations of professional film projectors produced before cinemas transitioned almost entirely to digital projection. Audiences will have the opportunity to see the mechanics of analogue projection up close and experience cinema in the format that defined movie magic for more than a century. For one evening, Bánffy Castle will become not only an open-air cinema, but also a small time machine.
The festival will provide transportation on both days between Cluj-Napoca and Bonțida, with return service included. Spectators who wish to use the transport service must select the dedicated option on the Eventbook page during the final step of purchase.
