Between September 11 and 14, 2025, Bucharest hosts the 11th edition of Bucharest International Dance Film Festival (Bidff), the only event in Eastern Europe dedicated to the dance film. The theme of this edition, “Keep Calm and Keep on Moving”, proposes a reflection on the movement as a form of resistance, expression and reinvention.
“Rains Over Babel”, a version of the hell of Dante
The festival promises over 20 events that combine the dance film, performances, VR installations, Master-Classuri and meetings with artists, located in key locations such as Cinema Elvire Popesco, Garden with Movies-Cinema & More, National Dance Center, /Sac @ Malmaison and Masca Theater.
Movies in the national premiere
The reference titles include “Night Stage” by Filipe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolol, a film that will be designed for the first time in Romania, and “Rain Over Babel” by Gala del Sol, presented for the first time at Sundance. The selection of feature films in the Bidff Films section includes titles previously presented at world -renowned festivals, such as Berlinale, Sundance or San Sebastian. A highly expected movie is “Dreams”, directed by Michel Franco, who follows the route of a Mexican ballerina that illegally crosses the border to the US and upsets the life of his girlfriend. The main role is Jessica Chastain.
The competitive section represents the heart of the festival: this year, 27 films coming from 20 countries will be designed, divided into four thematic heels with distinct artistic identities: Bodies in Transit, Motion Signals, Identity Shakeoffs, Against Stillness.
Another important event is the projection of the documentary “Miriam Raducanu – rigor and sens”, made by Alexandra Gulea, an essential portrait of the Romanian choreographer who redefined modern dance and turned 100 in 2024.
An important point of the program is the event “Dance and film today – perspectives, challenges and collaborative connections”. Part of the Bidff Exchange section, this debate brings together artists, theorists and filmmakers. Thus, the event aims to stimulate new connections and perspectives for the evolution of the genre of the dance film, in a continuous global context. The guests of the discussion are the producer Ada Solomon, the choreographer Andreea Duță and the film critic Andrei Rus, along with the members of the jury (Kati Kallio, Judith State and Andreas Hannes) and the directors Tanin Torabi, Tero Peltoniemi and Natalia Lis (present with movies in competition). The discussion will take place on Friday, September 12, at 3:00 pm, at the National Center of Dance Bucharest. The entrance is free.
