The Bucharest International Experimental Film Festival (BIEFF), created by directors Copel Moscu and Adina Pintilie, is making waves in Romania. This festival is about learning and showcasing groundbreaking films that push the boundaries of what movies can be and also a place where artists can express themselves without any restrictions.
Celebrating the Avant-Garde and Visual Arts
The heart of BIEFF is the International Experimental Short Film Competition. This competition brings to Romania some of the most daring and innovative films worldwide. These films aren’t like your regular Hollywood blockbusters; they’re experimental and often challenge our understanding of what movies can be. Some have even won awards at big film festivals like Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and others. They’ve also been displayed in famous museums and art galleries worldwide.
Starting in 2021, BIEFF began featuring a special category for short films made by Romanian filmmakers. This gives local talent a chance to shine on an international stage, showing that Romania has much to offer in experimental cinema.
In 2022, something exciting happened at BIEFF. For the first time, they included a selection of innovative feature-length films made by directors who are either new to the scene or on their second project. This is a big deal because it shows that BIEFF is open to exploring all forms of avant-garde cinema, not just short films.
Varied Selection of Films at the Festival
The Bucharest International Experimental Film Festival (BIEFF) is a treasure trove of cinematic experiences, offering diverse films to cater to every taste and curiosity. Here are the main categories and special events that you can expect at the festival:
1. International Feature Film Competition
This category showcases full-length films from around the world that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Their innovative narratives and artistic vision often characterizes these films.
2. International Short Film Competition
Short films are the essence of experimentation in cinema, and this competition brings together the most daring and creative short films from various countries. These films are like bite-sized nuggets of artistic exploration.
3. National Short Film Competition
Romania has a vibrant film scene, and this competition is a spotlight for local talent. It allows emerging Romanian filmmakers to showcase their creativity and vision to a wider audience.
4. Films from the Berlinale Forum Expanded and Arsenal Institute Archives
BIEFF doesn’t just feature new films; it also pays homage to cinematic history. Films from the Berlinale Forum Expanded and Arsenal Institute archives are showcased, giving audiences a chance to explore the roots of experimental cinema.
5. Retrospective of Romanian Experimental Film
Romania has a rich history of experimental cinema, and this retrospective celebrates the country’s contributions to the art form. It’s a journey through time, showcasing how Romanian filmmakers have pushed the boundaries of cinema over the years.
6. Special Screenings
BIEFF doesn’t stop at competitions and retrospectives. It also offers special screenings that are carefully curated to offer unique cinematic experiences. These screenings can feature anything from avant-garde classics to the latest experimental masterpieces.
BIEFF is a playground for film enthusiasts and artists alike, where you can immerse yourself in experimental cinema through a rich tapestry of films and special events. Whether you’re a fan of feature-length narratives or intrigued by the brevity and creativity of short films, there’s something for everyone at this remarkable festival.
BIEFF 2024 Program
Tuesday, September 24
19:00
Opening film BIEFF.14: TWST/ Things We Said Today
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
20:00
Opening film BIEFF.14: TWST/ Things We Said Today
Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
Wednesday, September 25
18:00
International Feature Film Competition 1: Fire of Wind
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
18:00
International Short Film Competition 1: Objects of Desire
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
20:00
Triangle Program DokuFest: Revealing Memories
Cinema Union, Str. Ion Câmpineanu, nr. 21
20:30
International Feature Film Competition 2: Eat the night
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
20:30
International Short Film Competition 2: Frames of War
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
Thursday, September 26
18:00
International Feature Film Competition 3: Maia – portrait with hands
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
18:00
International Short Film Competition 3: Works and Days
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
20:00
Focus Machinima 1: Hijacked!
Cinema Union, Str. Ion Câmpineanu, nr. 21
20:30
International Feature Film Competition 4: Malqueridas
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
20:30
International Short Film Competition 4: Atlas of Extinction
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
Friday, September 27
18:30
International Feature Film Competition 5: Cu Li Never Cries
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
18:30
National Short Film Competition 1
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
18:30
Focus Machinima 2: This is Not an Algorithm
Cinema Union, Str. Ion Câmpineanu, nr. 21
20:30
International Feature Film Competition 6: Bluish
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
20:30
A Fidai Film
Cinema Union, Str. Ion Câmpineanu, nr. 21
21:00
International Short Film Competition 5: Lucid Nightmares
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
Saturday, September 28
15:30
Focus Machinima 3: Grand Theft Hamlet
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
16:00
International Short Film Competition 6: Colonial Follies
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
18:00
Triangle Program Vienna Shorts: Four Walls for a Future
Cinema Union, Str. Ion Câmpineanu, nr. 21
18:30
National Short Film Competition 2
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
18:30
International Feature Film Competition 7: When the phone rang
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
20:30
Focus Machinima 4 – Cyberian Landscapes
Cinema Union, Str. Ion Câmpineanu, nr. 21
21:00
Special Screening: Eight illustrations from the ideal world
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
21:00
International Short Film Competition 7: Picture Perfect
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
Sunday, September 29
15:00
Focus Machinima 5: Desktop Warhol
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
16:00
Triangle Program BIEFF: Gestures of Resistance
Cinema Union, Str. Ion Câmpineanu, nr. 21
17:00
Special Screening: Triton
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
19:00
It’s Not Me (Closing Gala BIEFF.14)
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
20:00
BIEFF.14 winning feature film
Cinemateca Eforie, Str. Eforie, nr. 2
21:30
BIEFF.14 winning short films
Cinema Elvire Popesco, Bd. Dacia, nr. 77
Tickets
If you’re excited to be a part of this cinematic journey at the Bucharest International Experimental Film Festival (BIEFF) in 2024, here’s everything you need to know about ticket options:
1. Individual tickets (short films) – 15 lei
2. Individual ticket (feature films) – 20 lei
3. Opening and closing movie tickets – 30 lei
4. Game On | Festival Pass – 200 lei: Access to all screenings and events in the festival program
5. Lucky Draw | 10 Screenings Package – 100 lei: Access to any ten screenings or events of your choice from the festival program (*except opening and closing films)
In simple terms, BIEFF is a festival where filmmakers can break free from the norm and experiment with their craft. It’s a place where you can see films that are unlike anything you’ve seen before, that challenge how you think about reality.
As we look forward to the 2024 Bucharest International Experimental Film Festival, one thing is clear: BIEFF will continue to be a guiding light for experimental cinema and a space for fearless creativity for years to come.
