The Romanian Cultural Institute in London invites you to a special evening dedicated to contemporary short film and creative dialogue. The event is presented in partnership with Melancholia Pictures and brings together a curated selection of short films followed by an open conversation with the filmmakers and producers, offering a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on the creative, logistical, and collaborative processes that shape independent cinema today. More than a screening, the evening is designed as a meeting point between cultures, industries, and creative voices working across borders — particularly between the United Kingdom and Romania — highlighting how meaningful partnerships can be built through film.
The conversation will explore how cross-border production is evolving, how new talent can work alongside established professionals, and how Romania’s growing film infrastructure is attracting international attention. The speakers will also reflect on practical pathways for collaboration and the importance of cultural institutions in facilitating creative exchange.
SCREENINGS:
Fine (Bine)
In rural Romania, a young girl fights her abusive grandmother in a battle between religion and personal freedom.
Written and Directed by Octavian Şaramet
Celebration Day (Zi de Sărbătoare)
A birthday party between two old friends takes a dark turn when a troubling secret comes to light.
Written and Directed by Octavian Şaramet
The Boy’s Gaze
The blossoming love between two young adults is challenged by a rare disease that causes the Boy to lose his sight.
Written and Directed by Niccolò Salvato
Near Light
An exclusive extract of a documentary project following a murderer on a path to redemption.
Written and Directed by Niccolò Salvato
PROGRAMME:
19:00 - 19:10 | Introduction
19:10 - 20:15 | Short Film Screenings
20:15 - 21:00 | Conversation
21:00 - 21:30 | Networking
GUESTS:
Mara Cracaleanu - Producer & Founder
Gub Neal - Producer & Creative Chair of Ringside Studios
Niccolò Salvato - Director & Executive Producer at Melancholia Pictures
Gub Neal is an Emmy award-winning producer responsible for the internationally acclaimed and BAFTA-nominated series The Fall, as well as the French adaptation, Insoupçonnable. His other credits include The Last Enemy, Prime Suspect, Cracker and the Prix Italia Winner, Sunday. Prior to setting up Ringside, Gub was Creative Director and founder of Artists Studio and Box TV. Gub was previously controller of drama at Granada TV, as well as head of drama at Channel 4, where he commissioned shows such as ‘Queer as Folk’ and the BAFTA-winning mini-series ‘Longitude’ and ‘Shackleton’.
Niccolò Salvato is an award-winning creative based in London and Milan. His career bridging Narrative and Documentary started while still at University of Westminster, crafting films presented all over the world at festivals and platforms such as Young Directors Award, Prime Video, Watersprite, and FipaDOC. His style defies the ordinary in a magic realism, weaving unheard voices into unconventional perspectives. He has been mentored by film professionals including Matt Syrett (Oscar-winner), Ruth Reid (Netflix, HBO), and Daniel Green (MUBI, Dogwoof).
Mara Cracaleanu is a London-based film producer originally from Iași, Romania. Her work has received over 70 international awards and official selections at major festivals including Torino Film Festival, BFI Flare, TIFF Romania, DocuDays, FIPADOC, Watersprite, and Rhode Island International Film Festival. Her projects have been screened and distributed internationally, including at the XV Florence Biennale art exhibition and the Hollywood Women’s Film Institute. She regularly participates in leading film festivals and markets such as Cannes, Berlinale, Venice, TIFF, and BFI London Film Festival, as well as the EFM and Marché du Film. She took part in the Genre Rules Producers Lab at When East Meets West with a horror feature project currently in development, previously selected at Sarajevo Talents, Sitges FanPitch, and Pustnik. Her docu-series project, developed through the Ex Oriente Lab organised by the Institute of Documentary Film, received the Council of Europe Series Co-Development Award and was pitched at major industry platforms including MIA Market’s Doc Forum, East Doc Platform, and Docs Ireland. Mara serves as a jury member at three U.S.-based film festivals and sits on the Honorary Board of the Independent Film Festival Association. She is an active member of Women in Film & TV UK and Women in Film Los Angeles. Having benefited from mentorship by Netflix and HBO executives and as a Film London Connect member, she also holds diplomas in Law and Leadership from Harvard online, combining creative practice with legal and business expertise. She is the founder of Melancholia, a film production company based in the UK and Romania, focused on international co-productions and fostering creative collaborations between Europe, North America, and Asia. The company is currently developing several globally oriented projects. Its extended team includes members in New York, London, Milan, Los Angeles, and Bucharest, forming a network spanning multiple continents.
Melancholia Pictures is a boundary-breaking, award-winning film production company rooted in the UK & Romania, crafting bold, original, and immersive shorts, feature films, and series that defy convention. With a strong focus on international co-productions, we bridge Europe, North America, and Asia to deliver fearless narratives with global impact. Backed by a razor-sharp team, we create cinematic experiences that demand to be seen.
Members of theMelancholia Pictures team will also be present:
Cynthia Hill - Creative Executive & Marketing at Melancholia Pictures
Oana Sarban - Senior Finance Consultant
Free entry. Book your place HERE
