Shooting in Romania has become a practical consideration for international producers looking at Central and Eastern Europe, with the country combining national incentive mechanisms, experienced crews, diverse locations and an expanding production infrastructure. Within this context, Cluj-Napoca and Transylvania stand out as a relevant regional hub, connecting TIFF’s (Transylvania International Film Festival) international visibility with local resources for film and audiovisual production.
Transilvania International Film Festival Celebrates Its 25th Edition
Transylvania International Film Festival’s 25th edition also arrives at a moment when Cluj-Napoca is increasingly positioned not only as a festival city, but as a film and creative-industry hub. In 2021, Cluj-Napoca became Romania’s first UNESCO City of Film, joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and consolidating its international profile as a center for cinema culture, talent development and audiovisual activity. UNESCO describes Cluj-Napoca as home to Romania’s leading film event, TIFF, and as the city with the densest film network in the country.
For international producers, Romania offers a national cash rebate mechanism administered through the Office for Film and Cultural Investments — OFIC. According to OFIC, eligible productions can benefit from a 30% cash rebate on eligible expenditure carried out in Romania. The scheme covers audiovisual production costs and represents the main national incentive tool for productions considering Romania as a shooting or post-production destination.
CNC and Romania’s Film Financing Framework
Alongside the rebate, Romanian projects and Romanian minority co-productions can also access support through the Romanian Film Centre — CNC, which administers the national film fund and provides financial support across the value chain, including development, production, distribution, exploitation of Romanian films and participation in festivals.
At the local level, the city of Cluj-Napoca offers additional cultural support mechanisms. The Cluj-Napoca City Hall runs non-reimbursable funding calls for nonprofit activities of local interest, including cultural projects, with 2026 submissions announced for April 30 to May 15. While these funds are not a regional production tax credit, they are relevant for cultural initiatives, festivals, film-related events and community-facing projects connected to the local creative ecosystem.
The city also has physical production infrastructure. Cluj Innovation Park includes a dedicated film studio inside the CREIC building, described as the only larger-scale film studio in Transylvania. The facility has a 630 sqm surface, is designed for cinema and television production, is soundproofed, and includes controlled studio access as well as direct exterior access for large-scale sets.
For productions planning to shoot in Cluj-Napoca, the first official local contact point remains the Municipality of Cluj-Napoca, particularly for permissions involving public spaces, local services and public-event coordination. The City Hall provides public contact channels and dedicated services for public events, while Cluj Innovation Park can be approached for studio and production-space needs.
In practical terms, producers looking at Cluj-Napoca and Transylvania should consider three layers of preparation: national incentive eligibility through OFIC, Romanian financing and co-production opportunities through CNC, and local production logistics through Cluj-Napoca City Hall, Cluj Innovation Park and established Romanian production service partners. Together, these resources position Cluj and Transylvania as a credible base for projects seeking historic urban locations, Central and Eastern European landscapes, festival visibility and access to Romania’s wider production ecosystem.
