Launched in 2024, our program dedicated to high school students returns this year, on April 27 and 28, with a series of activities focused on group cohesion, empathy, critical thinking and dialogue across diversity.
We continue to stand alongside our audience in what has been a challenging year for culture.
Over 2,500 students have taken part in our activities over the past two years, and this edition we expect more than 800 participants from high school and, for the first time, middle school.
The program includes three film screenings at the cinema, accompanied by educational dialogues on film and critical thinking, two special workshop-format screenings, 11 workshops led by NGOs and high school students, and a volunteering fair.
We aim to create a space where diverse communities can intersect, while also presenting films that offer space for (self-)representation to protagonists who have been unjustly marginalized.
For the first time we will host a screening accessibilized for various hearing abilities (“A Quiet Love”), as well as a preview screening of an episode from the miniseries “Princess Warrior”, about the experience of being a woman and a professional athlete in Romania – in the presence of protagonist Ana Coman. This year will also include a special intergenerational communication workshop for teenagers and adults, using the film “Sister of Mine” as a starting point.
This year also marks the launch of a curatorial internship for two students from the “I.L. Caragiale” National University of Theatre and Film, who developed a program for high school students on ambition, dreams, and vulnerability, as well as one for middle school students, guiding them on a journey through the diversity of the world.
At the same time, our team will be joined by a junior division: OWR Youth Crew – high schoolers involved in implementing the program, including the visual identity, holding workshops, photo documentation, and moderating educational sessions.
The program kicked off on March 28 with a warm-up session for teachers on using documentary film as an educational tool. The workshop was held alongside two high school students who are part of the OWR Youth Crew: Robert Ștefana and Ionuț Cioboteanu.
* Admission is free of charge to all Youth Days events. Please register through a short form.
Visual identity by Robert Ștefana.
FILM SCREENINGS
Cinema Muzeul Țăranului
Becomings
(58 min.)
April 27, 2:00 PM - 
My Family Is a Circus / Circus zonder tent, dir. Nina Landau, 2020, 16’
Monsters / Monsters onder het bed, dir. Lotte Salomons, 2023, 7’
Round 3 / Ronde 3, dir. Liesbeth De Mey, 2024, 15’
Climbing Shadows / Reazem, dir. Ioana Coca, 2025, 18’
Although there is no single way of existing and relating to one another, in an ever-changing world society often tends to impose certain standards meant to guide us. The protagonists of the four films in this selection, however, break away from typical narratives, celebrating differences and diversity.
Short films for middle school students, followed by an educational dialogue moderated by Robert Ștefana + Q&A with director Ioana Coca.
A Quiet Love, dir. Garry Keane, 2025, 96’
April 28, 10:00 AM -
Three Deaf couples share their remarkable love stories through Irish Sign Language: a decades-long forbidden romance across a religious divide, an LGBTQIA+ couple navigating parenthood with Deaf and hearing daughters, and a Deaf boxer and his hearing partner facing a life-altering choice. This intimate film is a cinematic celebration of resilience, connection, and enduring love.
Screening accessibilized for various hearing abilities, with descriptive subtitles in Romanian and embedded interpretation in Romanian Sign Language, followed by a discussion moderated by Andreea Lăcătuș, between the groups of students and teachers present.
Paths
(55 min.)
April 28, 2:00 PM -
KARATISTA, dir. Alessia Borangic, 2025, 23’
+10k, dir. Gala Hernández López, 2025, 32’
Following protagonists who either question their parents’ guidance or grow up in their absence, the two films explore the fragility of the foundations that shape us and the universal need to be seen and understood.
Short films for high school students, followed by an educational dialogue moderated by Robert Ștefana and curators Despina Elena Bordeanu and Carla Pantilie + Q&A with director Alessia Borangic.
WORKSHOP-SCREENINGS
National Museum of the Romanian Peasant – Media Hall
Sister of Mine / Moja siostra, dir. Mariusz Rusiński, 2023, 30’
April 26, 11:00 AM - registration form
Film screening and intergenerational workshop for teenagers and parents on how to reconnect with family members after a more difficult period. The discussion will be coordinated by psychotherapist Monica Dan, in partnership with ARAS – Romanian Association Against AIDS. The event is supported by the Polish Institute Bucharest.
Synopsis: Zuzia, a very sensitive and artistically gifted teenager, struggles with drug addiction. Her brother, who is also the director of the film, tries to find out what happened in the whole family life that Zuzia fell into addiction.
Princess Warrior: Ana Coman, dir. Ioana Țurcan, 2026, 28’
April 27, 1:00 PM - registration form
Screening of an episode from the miniseries “Princess Warrior”, about the experience of being a woman and a professional athlete in Romania, followed by a discussion with protagonist Ana Coman, Cristina Coman, director Ioana Țurcan and Irina Ioniță from the Romanian National Paralympic Committee.
Synopsis: At the age of 5, Ana underwent major surgery. Before sports came into her life, all the therapies she underwent were aimed at improving her quality of life and achieving as much independence as possible. But how do you know you’ve achieved that goal when you’re just going from one therapy to the next? In junior para-athletics, Ana is a national champion, and now she knows what she’s fighting for.
WORKSHOPS
For volunteers, students, NGO representatives and teachers
“Filmmaking as a Tool for Social Inclusion of Marginalized and Vulnerable Teenagers”
Held by the Faculty of Theatre and Film, Babeș-Bolyai University
Students: Alma Dumitraș, Alexandru Dumitrescu, Luca Dragodan, Andreea Eni, Maria Oneț, Rebeca Cazan, Cristina Lazăr, Rareș Barbu
Trainer: Assistant Professor, PhD. Oana Ivan
For middle school students
Interactive workshop: “Youth Rights in Relation to Technology”
Held by Techsoup Association
Trainers: Alexandra Nechita, Adela Beca
Workshop on young people’s need to make their voices heard: “Teen voice - my rights, my vibe”
Held by Romanian Angel Appeal
Trainers: Ionela Pleșan (Youth Hub coordinator), Daria Gălățeanu (MeRAAki volunteer)
Emotional and documentary film education workshop: “Scrisori pentru Viitor”
Held by the One World Romania Association
Trainers: Robert Ștefana, Ionuț Cioboteanu
For high school students
Memory workshop at the museum: “Media, historical and anthropological education”
Held by Peasant Museum Image Archive
Trainers: Iris Șerban, Theodor Ulieriu-Rostas
Consent and healthy relationships workshop
Held by Pe Stop Association
Trainers: Sorina Isac (Pe Stop volunteer, psychologist), Alexandra Tănase (Pe Stop vice president)
Who is in CTRL? workshop
Held by eLiberare Association
Trainer: Raluca Vasile (Prevention & Communication Officer)
Workshop on “What should you do if you witness sexual violence?”
Held by VIS – Victimele Infracțiunilor Sexuale Association
Trainers: Mihaela Chiper (VIS president & co-founder), Anca Mureșan (VIS communication specialist & co-founder)
“Without Words” workshop starting from the Romanian Sign Language
Held by “Sfânta Maria” Special High School for the Hearing Impaired and One World Romania Association
Trainers: Andreea Lăcătuș, supported by Cristina Gîrniceanu
“SexEd - teenage survival guide” workshop
Held by Tineri pentru Tineri
Trainers: Tineri pentru Tineri volunteers
Workshop on the importance of volunteering and youth rights
Held by Save the Children Romania
VOLUNTEERING FAIR
National Museum of the Romanian Peasant – Irina Nicolau Hall + cinema foyer
April 28, 11:00 AM-7:30 PM
Participating organizations:
- ACCEPT Association
- ÎN SLUJBA MUNTELUI Association
- Sens Pozitiv Association
- Techsoup Association
- The Center for Independent Journalism
- eLiberare Association
- Leaders Foundation
- Funky Citizens
- Save the Children Romania
- Romanian Angel Appeal
- Tineri pentru Tineri
- VIS – Victimele Infracțiunilor Sexuale Association
