Southern Romania's Giurgiu city hosts film festival over the weekend, showcasing movies in a setting without a dedicated cinema hall.
In the heart of Romania, the charming city of Giurgiu is preparing for a cultural extravaganza. From June 27 to June 29, 2025, the city will host Play Giurgiu, a weekend film festival dedicated to children and teenagers. This event aims to bring cinema and cultural experiences to a city currently lacking a dedicated cinema hall [1][2][3].
The festival's schedule is packed with activities designed to inspire, educate, and entertain. The main attraction will be film screenings, both indoor and outdoor, featuring a curated selection of international and Romanian films. Notable films in the 2025 program include "The Little Prince" (France), "Ernest and Celestine" (France-Luxembourg), "Falcon Lake" (Canada-France), "Karate Kid", and "Cireșarii", a Romanian novel adaptation [1].
Alongside the film screenings, various workshops will be offered. Poetry workshops led by Carmen Tiderle, a poet from Giurgiu, will encourage young minds to explore the world of words. Animation workshops, media education sessions, and environmental exploration activities organized by the NGO Mai Mult Verde will provide hands-on experiences that complement the festival's theme [1].
A unique feature of Play Giurgiu is the "cultural refuge" space created by the Romanian bookstore chain Cărturești. This space will offer a selection of books that complement the festival's theme and films [1].
Play Giurgiu was founded by Mihai Mitrică, a native of Giurgiu and the founding director of the Animest animation festival. With a team of local volunteers, Mitrică aims to revive cultural engagement in the city, especially for young audiences growing up without access to cinema venues. The festival is a gesture of giving back to the community and fostering curiosity, joy, and appreciation for film and culture among children and teenagers [1].
So, mark your calendars for a weekend filled with cinematic delights, educational workshops, and literary adventures. Play Giurgiu promises to be a culturally rich, family-friendly event that will enrich the cultural life of Giurgiu's youth each year.
[1] Source: Play Giurgiu Official Website [2] Source: Giurgiu City Council Press Release [3] Source: Animest Animation Festival Newsletter
- The cultural refuge space at Play Giurgiu, established by Cărturești, will provide a selection of books that align with the festival's theme, offering a perfect blend of lifestyle and education for the attendees.
- In addition to film screenings, Play Giurgiu offers various workshops, such as poetry workshops by local poet Carmen Tiderle and animation workshops meant to foster outdoor-living and personal-growth.
- For fashion-conscious teens, the city of Giurgiu will host a weekend extravaganza where entertainment and learning intertwine, providing an opportunity to explore the latest trends in fashion-and-beauty.
- After a day full of films, workshops, and literary explorations at Play Giurgiu, families can unwind in their homes or gardens, reflecting on the insights gained from the event and enjoying the newfound enthusiasm for home-and-garden activities.
