National Premiere!!

Thrilled to announce that the short film LEAF, Horatiu Carpiuc’s splendid debut, one of the most extraordinary surprises of the year on the international film festival circuit, has been selected to compete at the Transilvania International Film Festival.

Founded in 2002, the Transilvania International Film Festival is the first and largest international film festival in Romania and one of the most important film events in the region, with over 100,000 participants at each edition. The festival takes place every year in the heart of Transylvania, in Cluj-Napoca, a modern city with a rich history. Since 2021, thanks to Transilvania IFF, Cluj-Napoca is part of the UNESCO City of Film network.

Open to the general public as well as industry professionals, the Transilvania International Film Festival shows over 250 films and its programme includes cine-concerts, concerts, as well as art exhibitions and meeting opportunities between filmmakers and the Romanian audiences.

The screening will take place on Thursday 19 June at the impressive and spectacular Cinema Florin Piersic as the national premiere.

This is the same venue where we premiered OCTOPUS last year, another hit from producer George Dogaru

LEAF made its world premiere at the first edition of the HollyShorts Film Festival Dubai.

Following this initial international success, it has gone on to feature at film festivals around the world.

Director Statement

Frunză (Leaf) encourages communication, rational debate, and the willingness to embrace new ideas and perspectives — ones that may differ from the realities we are accustomed to.
I wish I could say that my motivation was to explore the theme of coming of age, which is a challenge faced by both characters. On one hand, there is the impulsive, naturally rebellious nature of the daughter, shaped by her age and on the other hand, there is the father, who is struggling with the fear of a third possible abandonment. Beyond reconnecting with his daughter, the father ultimately gains a deeper understanding — that sooner or later, every child must choose their own path. That is his own personal growth.
I could also say that I wanted to portray what healthy communication should look like, or to reflect an education rooted in culture and values, or even to shed light on the reality of domestic violence in Romania — an issue that remains widespread. The truth is, Leaf is my message in a bottle, cast into the ocean of time, addressed to my own daughter. A reminder that every conversation left unspoken shapes who we become.

LEAF stars Andi Vasluianu, Ruxanda Burlacu and Uretyan Reinhardt.

Andreea Mateiu is the writer, Robert Ioniciou is the Director of Photography and Eugen Keleman is the Editor.

LEAF is a production by George Dogaru, one of the most renowned producers in the new wave of Romanian cinema.

Stay tuned, because in a few days we’ll be announcing further successes for this gem of Eastern European cinema, including festivals that qualify for the Hollywood Oscars.