TIFF 2025 Opening Gala: Christy

Title: Christy
Director: Brendan Canty
Cast: Danny Power, Diarmuid Noies, Emma Willis
Duration: 1h 34m
Country: Ireland
Year: 2025

Winner of the Grand Prize in the Generation 14plus section at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival

The 24th edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival will open with Christy (dir. Brendan Canty, Ireland/UK, 2025), an uplifting coming-of-age story about resilience and the courage to start over, awarded in Berlin. The film will be screened on the big screen in Piața Unirii on Friday, June 13, at 8:45 PM, during a special event preceded by a tribute to actor Florin Piersic, who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Christy tells the story of a boy without a family from an Irish suburb who finds himself at a turning point: he's about to turn 18, which means he will no longer be able to stay in foster care. He ends up in the care of his half-brother, who is trying to build the kind of family he never had. Although the two initially share little in common, they eventually confront and come to terms with the traumas of their past in this moving slice-of-life drama, filled with vibrant characters brimming with life.

The TIFF.24 Opening Gala will also feature a special moment dedicated to the life and career of one of the most iconic figures in Romanian cinema – Florin Piersic. The beloved actor has confirmed his attendance at the Gala, accompanied by family, friends, and fellow Romanian film stars, and will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. Born in Cluj, Piersic is a symbol of Romanian theater and cinema, known for his unmistakable charm, warm voice, commanding presence, and charisma that continues to captivate audiences. Over an impressive career spanning more than six decades, he has brought to life legendary characters, becoming a cultural icon for generations. In 2010, Florin Piersic was the face of TIFF, alongside his son, Florin Piersic Jr.