I've been craving to visit Cluj for years

Not just a passing wish, but a heart-level longing. This summer, it finally happened, and what better time to explore the city than during the Transylvania International Film Festival (TIFF)?

This was not only my first time at TIFF but also my first visit to Cluj-Napoca, and the experience unfolded like a film itself: layered, emotional, funny, unpredictable.

From Berlinale to TIFF: A Different Kind of Intimacy

As someone who’s loved festival films for years (and occasionally scores tickets to Berlinale, when the stars align), TIFF had been floating in my orbit for a while. Berlinale is its own beast, exhilarating, yes, but also full of frenzy and strategy. TIFF, on the other hand, felt more personal, more open-hearted. I went with no agenda other than curiosity and a desire to feel. And feel I did.

Let me be clear: I’m not a film critic. I’m not here to dissect camera angles or editing transitions. I’m writing as a human, a light-hearted, empathetic woman looking for meaning in art and connection. What follows is simply how these films landed in me.

The Films That Moved Me

Acts of Love was the first film I saw at TIFF. It shook me. Its core: unresolved emotional trauma explored through Systemic Family Constellations, a method I initially mistook for psychodrama. During the Q&A, director Jeppe Rønde clarified that it was a deeply personal story. The film left a mark.

Later that same day, I wept during Miocardio, a tender, bittersweet love story that gave me nostalgic telenovela vibes while also making me laugh. That’s the kind of emotional complexity I live for.

Then came Tata, a documentary by Lina Vdovîi and Radu Ciorniciuc. Raw, personal, and painful in the way that truth often is. It was a necessary watch.

Visually, I was enchanted by the landscapes in The Kingdom and The Blue Trail (by Gabriel Mascaro). Meanwhile, To a Land Unknown (by Mahdi Fleifel) struck me with its sharp, compassionate storytelling and social weight.

The festival ended with Sirat, screened open-air in Piața Unirii. I was so tense by the end that I found myself holding hands with a new friend I’d made that week, silently comforting each other through the suspense. 🫣 Bonus? I ran into one of the lead actresses at the airport. Same flight!

Other Highlights

In the Belly of AI – eerie and timely
Love Hurts – don’t we all know it?
It Was Just an Accident – Jafar Panahi’s storytelling never misses
Romanian Shorts – pure joy! Little stories that stayed with me

The TIFF Vibe

What surprised me most about TIFF was the balance it offered. A full week of powerful cinema, yes, but also so much space for introspection, socializing, exploring Cluj, and soaking up really good coffee and food. It never felt overwhelming. It felt just right.

Final Thoughts

TIFF felt like the kind of festival where you can show up as you are: curious, emotional, introverted, and still feel welcome. It’s not just about the films. It’s about feeling. And that’s exactly what I needed.

I already can’t wait for next year.