French Institute in Romania Introduces Film Screening and Discussion Series Focusing on Mental Health and Sociological Matters
The French Institute in Romania is set to launch the Film Therapy Film Club this fall, a unique initiative aimed at addressing the concerns and challenges faced by teenagers and young people. The program, which consists of ten film screenings and expert-led discussions, will take place at the Elvire Popesco Cinema in Bucharest, Romania, from October 2025 to April 2026.
The series of film screenings will tackle various mental health and social issues relevant to the youth, such as anxiety, bullying, sexual harassment, substance abuse, domestic violence, parental divorce, depression, panic attacks, and climate change concerns. After each screening, there will be discussions with the audience, providing an opportunity for open dialogue and understanding around these important topics.
As part of the project, a selection process will open in August 2025 for Romanian youth to participate in two European film festivals - the Alexandre Trauner ART/Film Festival in Hungary and the This Human World International Film Festival in Austria. Selected participants will join a student jury at these festivals in October and December 2025, respectively, supporting the project’s development at a European level.
The student jury participation complements the Film Therapy Film Club's mission, offering unique insights and perspectives on mental health, social issues, and challenges faced by teenagers and young people. This opportunity also provides a platform for young people from Romania to engage with European film festivals, fostering international collaboration and dialogue.
The Film Therapy Film Club will be led by experts and therapists, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for discussions. The program is supported by Europa Cinemas through the Collaborate to Innovate initiative, highlighting its focus on inclusion, social innovation, and engagement with young audiences. Educational materials related to the films and discussions will also be developed and made available to the public.
The idea for the program originated from interactions with the cinema audience, particularly the young public. The Film Therapy Film Club will convene first in October in Budapest, followed by the student jury convening in December in Vienna. The screenings will begin in October 2025 and run until April 2026.
Topics that have emerged from discussions organized in the cinema include anxiety, bullying, sexual harassment, alcohol and drug consumption problems, domestic violence, parental divorce, depression, panic attacks, and climate change. The Film Therapy Film Club promises to be an engaging and enlightening experience for all who participate, fostering understanding, empathy, and a sense of community among teenagers and young people.
[1] French Institute in Romania press release [2] Europa Cinemas press release [3] Collaborate to Innovate project website
- In addition to the Film Therapy Film Club's focus on addressing mental health and social issues of teenagers and young people, it will also extend to education and self-development, as educational materials related to the films and discussions will be developed and made available to the public.
- As part of the Film Therapy Film Club's mission to foster international collaboration and dialogue, it includes a selection process for Romanian youth to participate in education-and-self-development opportunities by joining a student jury at two European film festivals.
