The 27th edition of the Astra Film Festival will take place from October 16 to 25, 2020, in a format addapted to the situation and uncertainties caused by the pandemic.
The official programme will present over 50 documentaries in curated selections for the competition sections and for a number of special strands.
Some screenings will take place in venues across Sibiu. The films will be made available online for the Romanian audiences for the festival and an extra period of three weeks afterwards.
The Astra Film DokTank industry programme will happen online, between October 18 and 23. The activities will focus on debates and sharing experience, thoughts and views on the present situation and on the post-pandemic future.
The Astra Film Lab development programme for filmmakers will move online as well and it will consist of workshops, mentoring, meetings and a public pitch.
The full programme of the 2020 Astra Film Festival will be announced at the beginning of September, together with details abot accessing the films and
festival events.
“Two years ago, when we celebrated 25 years of Astra Film festival, I was talking about how this festival was born and grew up under the sign of challenge. And here we are, facing the most dramatic challenge of all. It is a turning point, a moment when we must re-think the elaborate mechanism of setting up that prvileged space where filmmakers and their work, professionals of the industry and the festival audiences can share an intensive and inspiring experience. With this coming edition everything is about learning as you go and I am looking forward to it with excitement. My only regret is that this year our beloved Astra Film Junior is unlikely to happen in its physical form as before. We shall miss the tens of thousands of kids and teenagers criss-crossing the city from one screening venue to the next. However, I am optimistic about the future and confident that together we shall find ways to stay connected.”,
Dumitru Budrală, the founder-director of Astra Film Festival said.
