The film De capul nostru / On Our Own, the latest fiction feature by director Tudor Cristian Jurgiu, has been selected for the Forum section of the Berlin International Film Festival, where it will have its world premiere, according to a press release issued sent to AGERPRES on Thursday by Transilvania Film.
De capul nostru tells the story of a group of teenagers from a small Romanian town whose parents work abroad. Giving voice to a generation forced to grow up too early, the film explores how the absence of adult involvement during adolescence can lead to loneliness, emotional instability and impulsive decisions, against the backdrop of a desperate need to belong. Lacking support and real prospects, the young protagonists build their own community, finding refuge among other children and teenagers facing similar circumstances, according to the film’s synopsis.
‘There are around 150,000 children in Romania whose parents work abroad, and this phenomenon generates deep emotional trauma and fragile family relationships. That is where my interest in this story came from,’ Jurgiu said.
As the curtain rises on the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, the world’s most politically charged cinema event finds itself at a fascinating crossroads. Known affectionately as the Berlinale, the 2026 edition has officially cemented Berlin’s status as the epicenter of “Art-as-Activism,” blending high-glamour red carpets with a gritty, unflinching look at the global challenges of the mid-2020s.
Redefining the Red Carpet: Aesthetics and Ethics
While Cannes celebrates luxury and Venice honors tradition, Berlin has always prioritized the message. This year, the Potsdamer Platz hub has seen a radical shift toward sustainability. The iconic red carpet is now crafted entirely from recycled ocean plastics, and for the first time in history, the festival’s official fleet is 100% hydrogen-powered.
The Golden Bear Race: Trends in 2026
The competition for the Golden Bear (the festival’s highest honor) features 18 films that push the boundaries of narrative structure. This year, three major themes have emerged among the contenders:
-
Eco-Thrillers: A new wave of cinema focusing on climate anxiety through the lens of suspense.
-
AI Integration: Films that explore—and sometimes utilize—generative AI to tell stories about human identity.
-
The Return of the Epic: After years of minimalist “lockdown” cinema, directors are returning to large-scale, 70mm analog cinematography.
A Digital Frontier: The Berlinale Talents
A cornerstone of the festival, the Berlinale Talents program, has expanded significantly in 2026. This year, the focus is on “Virtual Co-Production.” Young filmmakers from the Global South are utilizing real-time rendering engines to collaborate with European studios, bypassing traditional logistical barriers and bringing fresh, diverse perspectives to the Berlin screens.
The Festival in Numbers (2026 Estimates):
| Category | Statistics |
| Total Films Screened | ~350 from 70+ countries |
| Tickets Sold | Over 400,000 (a record high) |
| Gender Parity | 52% of films directed by women |
| Economic Impact | €135 million injected into Berlin’s economy |
