The Bucharest International Experimental Film Festival (BIEFF) returns in 2025 with its 15th edition, celebrating groundbreaking cinema that defies traditional storytelling and invites audiences into the bold world of experimental film and visual arts. Established by visionary directors Copel Moscu and Adina Pintilie, BIEFF has become a pivotal platform in Romania and beyond for filmmakers pushing the boundaries of cinematic expression.
BIEFF 2025: Celebrating Innovation and Collaboration
BIEFF 2025 embraces the theme “Common Ground,” focusing on what unites us and exploring collective creative processes. This year’s festival showcases over 80 films, including national and international premieres, emphasising fresh voices and bold visions in experimental cinema.
Diverse Film Selections @BIEFF2025
The festival’s competitive and special programs include:
- International Feature Film Competition: Full-length films from international auteurs redefining cinematic language and narrative forms.
- International Short Film Competition: A dynamic collection of short films from around the world, showcasing daring artistic experimentation.
- National Short Film Competition: Highlighting Romania’s best emerging talents in experimental filmmaking.
- Retrospectives and Archives: Films from prestigious archives like Berlinale Forum Expanded and the Arsenal Institute, exploring cinema’s avant-garde roots.
- Romanian Experimental Film Retrospective: A tribute to Romania’s rich history of boundary-pushing cinema.
- Special Screenings and Events: Carefully curated showcases including installations, exhibitions, and filmmaker talks that enrich the festival experience.
Bucharest International Experimental Film Festival: Locations
BIEFF screens take place at Bucharest’s renowned venues: Cinema Elvire Popesco, Cinema Union, and Cinemateca Eforie, creating immersive spaces for audiences to discover and engage with experimental works.
Ticket Information
Experience BIEFF 2025 with tickets and passes designed to make the festival accessible and flexible:
- Individual Screening Tickets: RON 20 (approx EUR 4)
Access a single film or event from the program. - Opening and Closing Film Tickets: RON 30 (approx EUR 6)
Join the festival’s exciting opening or closing film screenings. - 10-Event Ticket Package: RON 150 (approx EUR 30)
Pick any ten screenings or events to create your own festival journey. - Festival Pass: RON 350 (approx EUR 70)
Full access to all screenings and events throughout the festival, including exclusive perks like festival posters and tote bags. - Common Ground Support Pass: RON 50 (approx EUR 10)
A lower-cost pass to ensure wider accessibility while supporting the festival’s vision.
BIEFF believes in inclusivity and solidarity, encouraging everyone to engage with experimental cinema regardless of economic means.
Complete BIEFF 2025 Program and Locations
Screenings take place across these iconic Bucharest venues:
- Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia 77
- Cinema Union, Str. General H.M. Berthelot 28-30
- Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie 2
Opening Night
September 22, 7:00 PM | Cinema Elvire Popesco
- With Hasan in Gaza (Palestine/Germany/France/Qatar, 2025, 106 min)
A powerful essay film weaving together MiniDV footage from Gaza in 2001, rediscovered during a poignant journey.
International Short Film Competition (selected titles)
Various dates, venues
Various dates, venues: Cinema Union, Cinemateca Eforie, Cinema Elvire Popesco
- Who Was Here (Greece, dir. Evi Stamou, 2025, 25 min)
- Slet 1988 (Germany/France, dir. Marta Popidova, 2025, 22 min)
- Koki, Ciao (Netherlands, dir. Quenton Miller, 2025, 11 min)
- J-N-N (Germany, dir. Ginan Seidl, 2025, 19 min)
- The Orchards (France, dir. Antoine Chapon, 2025, 25 min)
- GrandmamaUntSisterCat (Netherlands/Poland, dir. Monika Kwasniewska, 2024, 12 min)
- Eastern Elegies – Reflections of a Bygone Era (Germany, 2019, 15 min)
- Common Pear (Slovenia, 2025, 15 min)
- L’ Mina (France/Morocco/Italy/Qatar, 2025, 26 min)
National Short Film Competition
Various dates, Cinemateca Eforie
A selection of Romanian shorts is competing for the Best Romanian Short Film Award, supported by post-production prizes totalling approximately EUR 20,000.
International Feature Film Competition
September 24-27, Cinema Union & Cinema Elvire Popesco
- Who’s Voice Is This? (Germany/Kazakhstan/Uzbekistan, 2024)
A collage reflecting Soviet ideological legacies in Central Asia. - MOLKARIN and TAMBAKU CHAAKILA OOB ALI by the Yugantar Film Collective, India (digitally restored feminist film works).
Special Programs and Retrospectives
- Berlinale Forum Expanded and Arsenal Institute archival screenings
- Romanian Experimental Cinema Retrospective
- Exhibition: “Serious Games” – film and machinima exploring video game aesthetics and artistic subversion
Daily Highlights
- Sept 23, Cinema Union: International Shorts Block A
- Sept 24, Cinemateca Eforie: National Shorts & Filmmaker Dialogues
- Sept 25, Cinema Elvire Popesco: International Features & Panels
- Sept 26-28: Exhibitions, workshops, and director talks at festival venues
Why Attend BIEFF 2025?
Whether you are a seasoned cinephile, an artist, or just curious, BIEFF offers a unique chance to see innovative films that challenge norms and open new ways of seeing the world. The festival is a meeting point for creative minds and an inspiring cultural event in Bucharest’s vibrant arts scene.
Discover new voices, attend lively Q&A sessions with filmmakers, enjoy exhibitions, and dive into an unforgettable cinema experience unlike any other.
