BLUE YOUTH Curated International Film Festival brings together a carefully selected lineup of bold, original, and deeply personal films from around the world. Built on a commitment to curation over quantity, the festival stands as a platform where independent voices are not just screened—but truly seen. This year’s inaugural edition, held live in Timișoara at Indecis, delivered exactly what the festival promises: powerful cinema, a vibrant audience, and an atmosphere where filmmakers and viewers connect in real time.
A Night of Recognition
After a season of discovery and a highly selective competition process, the winning films were officially unveiled during our live festival event—an evening that celebrated not just achievement, but artistic courage. Every film in competition was hand-picked and evaluated based on authenticity, creativity, storytelling strength, and cinematic voice. The final awards, decided by a professional jury, honored those works that pushed boundaries and resonated most deeply with both jurors and audiences.
This Year’s Award Winners
Grand Prize – Best Feature Film
Vis. Viață directed by Ruxandra Gubernat
Grand Prize – Best Short Film
The Professional Parent directed by Erik Jasan
Jury Prize – Young Filmmaker
Too Dark For Light directed by Luca Pereș-Bota
Best Director
Alain Dufau and Nadia Dutreuil for the film Crushed Time
Best Screenwriter (awarded Ex-Aequo)
Aleksander Eme for the film The Final Cut; Luka Padiurashvili for the film Grandmother’s Last Wish
Best Actress / Best Actor
Rania Noura Bance for the role of Jahia in the film Jahia’s Summer;
Lander Merckx for the role of Josef in the film Too Dark For Light
Best Technical Artist
Lenny Somers for the Cinematography in the film Too Dark For Light
These films represent the very core of what BLUE YOUTH is about: fearless storytelling, distinct visual identity, and voices that deserve to be heard on a larger stage.
More Than a Screening
What made this year truly special wasn’t just the films—it was the experience. From packed screening rooms to post-film conversations, workshops, and late-night discussions, the festival once again proved that cinema thrives in community. The live format remains central to the BLUE YOUTH philosophy: films are meant to be experienced together, projected on screen, and felt collectively.
Looking Ahead
As the curtain falls on this year’s edition, the journey for these winning films is only just beginning. Through continued promotion, exposure, and industry connections, BLUE YOUTH remains committed to supporting filmmakers beyond the festival itself. To all selected filmmakers, winners, and attendees—thank you for making this edition a success. And to those preparing their next project: we’re already watching.
Hand-picked cinema. Independent filmmaking. Live.