Is a festival dedicated to American film, culture, and lifestyle. It aims to use the popularity of cinema, as well as the cultural values it promotes, to achieve cultural, educational, professional, and humanitarian goals among Romanian audiences, for whom these values hold significant importance.

Over its eight editions so far, the project has presented in Romania a selection of the most recent independent productions from the United States, acclaimed by critics and featured in major North American festivals such as Sundance, New York, Tribeca, Telluride, and Toronto, as well as major international festivals like Berlin, Venice, and Cannes.

Each year, the films demonstrate the vitality of a cinema that exists outside Hollywood conventions. They are grouped into dedicated sections, complemented by events, masterclasses, Q&A sessions, open talks, and industry workshops.

AIFF also has a strong humanitarian mission: all proceeds received by the organizers are donated to non-governmental organizations.

The American Independent Film Festival has had the honor of hosting internationally renowned actors such as Joaquin Phoenix, Ethan Hawke, John C. Reilly, Sebastian Stan, and Mary-Louise Parker, as well as directors like Roberto Minervini and Jacques Audiard, who accepted invitations to attend the festival in Bucharest and share both their professional and personal experiences with audiences.

The festival has also facilitated live conversations between Bucharest cinephiles and some of the most important contemporary American filmmakers, including Barry Jenkins, Sean Baker, Kent Jones, Paul Schrader, Benh Zeitlin, Alexander Payne, and Steven Spielberg.

This year’s Bucharest edition, the 10th, will take place between the 5th and 11th and will continue its local editions as well.