Tag Archives: Festival

Greece News Western Europe Spain

All the Love

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All the Love

The short film “All the Love in My Body” by Finnish-Greek director Carmen Baltsar tells the tragic story of two Roma sisters who drowned while selling trinkets on a beach in Italy in 2008, highlighting societal indifference.

The film is part of the “Raising Romani Gaze” program at the Seville European Film Festival, showcasing works by Roma filmmakers from various European countries.

The festival aims to challenge stereotypes and provide a platform for Roma voices in cinema, with a focus on personal narratives and experiences within the community.

News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Romania Spain

I Matter

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I Matter

Alina Șerban, a Romani actor and filmmaker, is part of a movement showcasing Romani narratives at the Seville European Film Festival, aiming to counter stereotypes of Roma people in media.

Her film, “I Matter,” explores Romany identity and won an audience award at the Venice Film Festival, emphasizing the humanity of Roma individuals.

The showcase, titled “Raising Romani Gaze,” features diverse films by Romany filmmakers, highlighting their stories and challenging long-standing discrimination against the Roma community in Europe.

News Western Europe Spain United Kingdom

Movie

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Movie

The film “SMOOTH THE EDGES,” directed by Charles Newland, is a significant step for Roma representation in British cinema, premiering at the Seville European Film Festival.

The story focuses on a Romni’s struggles with prejudice and identity, highlighting the challenges of concealing cultural heritage for acceptance.

The production features a majority Romani cast and crew, aiming to challenge stereotypes and provide authentic representation in the film industry.

Belgium News Western Europe

Balkan Festival

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Balkan Festival

Balkan Trafik! festival celebrates 20 years of Balkan music and culture in Brussels from November 19-21, 2026, featuring diverse performances and cultural exchanges.

The festival will include various musical genres, workshops, discussions on cultural identity, and a fashion show highlighting Balkan traditions and contemporary designs.

A free afternoon event on November 21 will focus on cultural transmission, debates, and community engagement, promoting interaction between artists and the public.

News Western Europe Portugal

Porto Film Cycle

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Porto Film Cycle

The University of Porto is hosting a special edition of the CIDAAD film cycle in November, focusing on Roma and Sinti with screenings every Friday at 6 PM.

The program includes documentaries and films that address themes such as historical memory, discrimination, identity, and cultural resistance, featuring works by Roma and Sinti filmmakers.

The cycle aims to provide a critical perspective on social and cultural issues often overlooked in public discourse, culminating in a special session at the Porto/Post/Doc festival.

Lithuania News Eastern Europe

“Gypsy Fest”

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“Gypsy Fest”

The recent International “Gypsy Fest” in Vilnius was a colorful highlight of the Folk Fair, celebrating its 10th anniversary with performances from various artists and groups from Lithuania and other countries.

Notable performances included the famous SARE ROMA group and ensembles from Latvia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Germany, and Serbia, showcasing the rich culture of the Roma.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Croatian Roma Festival

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Croatian Roma Festival

The 18th Festival of Romani Song and Dance took place on September 27, 2026, in Beli Manastir, Croatia, celebrating Romani culture and traditions.

The event aimed to preserve Romani cultural heritage, language, music, and traditional dance while strengthening ties between the Romani community and local society.

The festival highlighted the importance of cultural identity and intergenerational connections, showcasing Romani creativity to a broader audience.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Verzió Festival

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Verzió Festival

The 23rd Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival will showcase over eighty films in Budapest and eight other cities, focusing on the theme of trust in what we see amidst the rise of AI and manipulated images.

The festival opens on November 16 with the Hungarian documentary “Papa,” which highlights the diversity of Roma communities and features films by Roma creators.

The event will include discussions and community-building activities, supported for the first time by the National Film Institute with a significant financial contribution.

Lithuania News Eastern Europe

“Gypsy” Fest

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“Gypsy” Fest

The annual GYPSY FEST parade in Vilnius attracted significant attention, featuring colorful performances, traditional Romani culture, and a free concert at Kudirkos Square.

Organizers emphasized the festival’s mission to combat stereotypes and promote understanding of Romani culture through various activities and messages displayed in the city.

This year’s event included a talent competition for young Roma, showcasing their abilities and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Day of the Roma

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Day of the Roma

Myjava, Slovakia, will host the Day of Roma event in September 2026, celebrating Roma culture with two days of music, dance, and exhibitions.

The event will feature performances from the Jaghále Čhaja dance group and the Vladoboys band, along with inspiring documentaries about successful Roma individuals.

Lithuania News Eastern Europe

“Gypsy” Fest

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“Gypsy” Fest

The GYPSY FEST in Vilnius, Lithuania, aims to challenge stereotypes about the Romani culture through thought-provoking messages displayed on large posters around the city.

The festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will feature a theatrical procession and a free concert showcasing Romani music and culture on September 19.

Organizers emphasize the importance of dialogue and understanding, inviting attendees to reflect on their own biases and engage with the Romani community.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Bari Balvaj

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Bari Balvaj

The Bari Balvaj! festival aims to promote Roma art to a wider audience and is hosted at the East Slovak Gallery, a significant cultural venue in the region.

The festival will feature various performances, including traditional Romani music and dance workshops, highlighting the importance of cultural diversity in the Košice region.

The event is open to everyone, encouraging participation and appreciation of Romani culture without prejudice, while also targeting Romani audiences.

Italy News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Romania

Alina Şerban

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Alina Şerban

The Romanian film “Eu contez” [I matter] directed by Alina Șerban won the Audience Award at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, marking a historic achievement for Romanian cinema.

Alina Șerban, a Roma director, is the first Romanian to present a feature film at the Venice Festival, and her film addresses themes of social exclusion and identity through the story of a young Roma woman.

The film has received widespread acclaim for its emotional authenticity and is expected to be a strong contender for international distribution and possibly an Oscar nomination.

Italy News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Romania

I Matter

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I Matter

“I Matter,” the debut feature film by director Alina Șerban, premiered on September 8 at the Venice International Film Festival in the Venice Spotlight section, making her the first Roma female director in the festival’s official selection.

The film follows Rebeca, a young Roma woman preparing to leave her care center, hoping to find stability through her father’s release from prison, but faces challenges in her transition to independent life.

The film, a Romania-Germany-Belgium co-production, will be released in Romanian cinemas in February 2027 and is also competing for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award in the Venice Spotlight section.

Italy News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Romania

Alina Şerban

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Alina Şerban

Alina Șerban, acclaimed for her role in ‘Housekeeping for Beginners’, returns to the Venice Film Festival as a director and screenwriter with her debut feature ‘Eu contez (I Matter)’, premiering on September 8.

The film, a Romanian-German-Belgian co-production, tells the story of a Roma teenager preparing to leave a care center, highlighting underrepresented narratives in cinema.

‘Eu contez’ competes for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award, featuring a cast that includes Denisa Farcaș and Sorin Mihai.

News Eastern Europe North Macedonia

Maškari Amende

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Maškari Amende

The “Maškari Amende” festival will take place on September 11-12 in Šuto Orizari, North Macedonia, celebrating 30 years since the municipality’s establishment, focusing on culture, music, and community.

The festival will feature activities for children and youth, cultural exchanges, and performances by various artists, including the Roma Rock School Band and international musicians.

Organized by the European Institute for Arts and Culture of Roma (ERIAC) in partnership with the municipality, the festival aims to preserve the community’s rich heritage and foster new connections among generations.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Alina Șerban

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Alina Șerban

Alina Șerban, acclaimed for her role in ‘Housekeeping for Beginners’, returns to the Venice Film Festival as a director and screenwriter with her debut feature ‘I Matter’, premiering on September 8.

‘I Matter’, a co-production between Romania, Germany, and Belgium, is one of eight films selected for the Spotlight section at the festival, competing for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award.

The film tells the story of Rebeca, a Roma teenager preparing to leave a care center, highlighting underrepresented narratives in cinema about the complexities of Roma experiences and adolescence.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Balval Fest

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Balval Fest

Balvalfest, is the oldest Romani festival in Slovakia. It aims to showcase Romani music and dance. The festival features performers from various countries, including the UK, Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Hungary, and encourages young talent to participate.

This year’s event is expected to attract around 2,000 visitors and is supported financially by the Minorities Culture Support Fund.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Rroma Film Festival

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Rroma Film Festival

The RROMA Film Festival will showcase short films inspired by Roma culture from September 4-6 in Brasov and Augustin, featuring a special screening of ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin.’

The festival will honour Salvador Dali and include a celebration of Roma culture with traditional music and culinary experiences.

The closing ceremony will feature the film ‘Malul Vanat’ and a tribute to a lost film about Roma communities, with free admission to all events.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Roma Film Festival IROFF

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Roma Film Festival IROFF

The IROFF International Romani Film Festival will return to Prague from September 10 to 13. After last year’s zero year, it will offer four days of film screenings, two Czech premieres, discussions with filmmakers, concerts and exhibitions. The program was presented today at a press conference by Petr Ščuka from the organizing organization Identity Prague. The festival will take place at several locations in the metropolis.

https://youtu.be/rJco6QraHf8

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