Six European fiction films that focus on the theme of family relationship crises and which had their world premieres at the most prestigious festivals are part of the competition at the 12th edition of the Ceau, Cinema! Festival in Timișoara, taking place from July 16 to 20.
The films are produced in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, and Poland, and will compete for the Ceau, Cinema! ”Răzvan Georgescu” Trophy and the Audience Award.
Pre-sale passes for the festival are already available on Eventbook.
“Family has always been an important theme in cinema. However, in the European films of the past year, the subject of family relationship crises has stood out very strongly. Therefore, the competition of the 12th edition of Ceau, Cinema! brings forward a reflection through six bold cinematic perspectives on the dynamics of some of the most diverse families from the contemporary society”, says the artistic director of the festival, Ionuț Mareș.
In the Polish drama ”Under the Volcano” (2024) by Damian Kocur, a Ukrainian family spends their last vacation day on the island of Tenerife, but overnight, the tourists become refugees. The film was featured in the official selections of the Toronto, London, and Gdynia film festivals, and it is being brought to Timișoara with the support of the Polish Institute in Bucharest. Damian Kocur’s previous film, ”Bread and Salt”, won the “Răzvan Georgescu” trophy and the Audience Award at Ceau, Cinema! 2023.
In the tragicomedy ”Our Lovely Pig Slaughter” (2024), the debut film of Czech director Adam Martinec, an extended family gathers for the traditional Christmas pig slaughter, but things quickly spiral out of control. ”Our Lovely Pig Slaughter” had its world premiere in the competition section of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where it received the Special Jury Prize. The film’s screening at Ceau, Cinema! is possible with the support of the Czech Centre in Bucharest.
Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Locarno Film Festival, the Austrian film ”Moon” (2024) by Kurdwin Ayub follows a former martial arts fighter who accepts a job as a personal trainer for the three daughters of a wealthy Middle Eastern family. Inside a wall-surrounded palace, with the sisters being under constant surveillance, the young woman discovers that the girls aren’t truly interested in the training sessions. The film is brought with the support of the Austrian Cultural Forum.
The Lithuanian drama ”Drowning Dry” (2024) by Laurynas Bareiša comes from the Locarno Film Festival, where it won awards for directing and acting. Two sisters prepare to spend a weekend in the countryside with their husbands and children, but what was meant to be a festive getaway turns into a nightmare.
In the Italian film ”Familia” (2024) by Francesco Costabile, two brothers are deeply attached to their mother, but their peace is shattered when their abusive father is released from prison after nearly a decade behind bars. The film had its world premiere in the Orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival and received seven nominations, including the award for Best Supporting Actor at the David di Donatello Awards.
In the same Orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival was featured the German-Turkish co-production ”Edge of Night” (2024) by Türker Süer. A young lieutenant in the Turkish army receives the task to turn his brother in to a military tribunal. Burdened by the tragic death of their father, the two brothers embark on a journey through a country affected by political turmoil.
The Ceau, Cinema! “Răzvan Georgescu” Trophy amounts 1,000 euros, while the Audience Award is 500 euros, both being offered by Groupama Insurance. The films in competition will be screened at Cinema Studio.
The trophies are crafted by the artist Lia Pfeiffer.
The Ceau, Cinema! competition provides a platform for filmmakers from countries with traditional minority communities in the Banat region, and as of 2025, it expanded to include films from the Baltic states, the Caucasus, and the entire Balkan region.
More information can be found on www.ceaucinema.ro, as well as on the festival’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Ceau, Cinema! Festival is dedicated to European cinema and is organized by the Association Pelicula Culturală.
Funded by the Municipality of Timișoara through the Center for Projects.
Sponsors: Groupama Insurance, Vitas Romania, E.ON Energie Romania
International partner: The SCHLiNGEL International Film Festival for Children and Young Audiences in Chemnitz (Germany)
Partners: Cinema Studio, Cinema Timiș, Cinema Victoria, Banatul Philharmonic, Lipoplast, the Kuncz Cultural and Educational Center, the Italian Cultural Institute in Bucharest, the German Cultural Center in Timișoara, the Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Center in Bucharest, the Polish Institute in Bucharest, the Czech Center in Bucharest, the Embassy of Spain, the Cervantes Institute in Bucharest, the Austrian Cultural Forum in Bucharest, the French Institute in Timișoara, the French Institute in Bucharest.
Supported by: Marele Ecran Association, Ibis Timisoara City Center, Porsche Timișoara, Cărturești Timișoara, Ceva de Spus Association, Cartea Călătoare Foundation, Animest, Ovride, Faber, Timișoara la cutie, Casa Artelor – Timiș County Directorate for Culture, La Două Bufnițe, Cartea de Nisip, the Social Assistance Directorate of the Municipality of Timișoara, the Faculty of Arts and Design of the West University of Timișoara, Eventbook, Claudia Roșu.
Media partners: Films in Frame, West City Radio, CineFan, Tributary Stu, În Bine.