Events
A Special Cinema Experience for Kids: MiniTIFF in Cluj-Napoca
Going to the movies is more than just entertainment; it is an open window to the world: it shapes thinking, nurtures aesthetic taste, and builds a shared experience that stays with us for a long time. Between November 9 and 15, the realm of children's imagination comes alive once again in Cluj-Napoca with the return of MiniTIFF for an expanded, surprise-packed third edition. Conceived especially for young audiences, the film festival aims to inspire a new generation of film lovers, offering meaningful moments alongside friends or an entire school class.
The festival screenings will bring energy to the city’s favorite cultural spaces: the halls of Cinema Victoria, Cinema Mărăști, Cinema Dacia, and Casa TIFF will be bustling throughout the entire week.
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What the MiniTIFF Lineup Has in Store
All productions featured in the MiniTIFF selection come from leading international festival circuits, ensuring top artistic quality and unique storytelling. The program is curated for viewers starting from age 3 up to young teens: on-screen stories explore themes such as friendship, family ties, and the expectations and pressure stemming from social media—all infused with positive energy and empathy.
Highlights include the beloved 2006 family classic, Happy Feet. In the fascinating world of emperor penguins, where everyone finds their soulmate through a song from the heart, our hero cannot sing at all—yet he tap-dances in a spectacular, contagious style unlike anything ever seen. The lineup is complemented by award-winning modern European animations, such as the French-Belgian feature Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds (Sirocco et le royaume des courants d’air), a tale of sibling love and the secret realm of storms, as well as the Czech-Slovak stop-motion puppet animation Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light (Tonda, Slávka a kouzelné světlo), which portrays the acceptance of diversity. For older youth, the festival presents thoughtful coming-of-age stories examining the fine line between digital life and reality in the authentic language of today’s teens.
The true value of the screenings emerges once the credits roll: each film is followed by discussions led by cultural mediators, psychologists, and special guests. These guided conversations help children formulate their own insights, express their feelings, and return to everyday life with fresh ideas useful for their friendships.
Must-Visit Workshops at Casa TIFF
Beyond movie screenings, MiniTIFF welcomes young audiences with interactive workshops at Casa TIFF, where watching turns directly into hands-on creation:
1. Wool Felting Workshop – Stories Painted in Wool
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Date: Monday, November 9, 5:45 PM
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Location: Casa TIFF
Wool carries its own stories: it is a soft, warm, and colorful medium from which a child’s imagination easily takes shape. In this cozy workshop, participants learn the fundamentals of needle felting, where fine fibers intertwine through tiny, deliberate needle pricks to craft images and shapes. Patience, focus, and curiosity pay off: each child crafts their own custom fridge magnet to take home as a keepsake from the festival.
2. LEGO Workshop: Bringing Characters to Life
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Date: Friday, November 13, 4:30 PM
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Location: Casa TIFF
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Age group: 4+ years (Duration: 1 hour | Available spots: 30)
What would a storybook hero look like if you designed it entirely yourself? In the LEGO workshop, children put their imagination to work, combining colorful bricks to create original characters. Free from rigid templates, the freedom of shapes, colors, and experimentation gives rise to unexpected creatures and figures.
3. Creative Writing Workshop
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Date: Sunday, November 15, 5:30 PM
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Location: Casa TIFF
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Age group: 11–14 years (Duration: 1 hour | Available spots: 25)
Through theater games and improvisation exercises, this workshop shows young teens how reading helps us become more creative, confident, spontaneous, and open-minded. The interactive activities are not only fun, but also develop valuable communication and expression skills that come in handy both in the classroom and among friends.
For the full festival schedule, ticket prices, and registration details, visit the official platform at tiff.ro/minitiff/program, pick your favorite screenings or workshops, and turn these November days into a series of memorable experiences in Cluj-Napoca!
(Source: Cluj.com)
Visiting Cluj-Napoca for MiniTIFF? Here Are Two Great Places to Stay for a Carefree Trip:
Guest House 1568
Located just 200 meters from the Bánffy Palace and 100 meters from downtown Cluj, Guest House 1568 welcomes visitors in a prime setting. Thanks to its central location, Casa TIFF, Cinema Victoria, and the Matthias Corvinus Statue in Union Square are all within a short, easy walk. The property offers all essential comforts: an on-site restaurant, private check-in, free Wi-Fi, and an inviting terrace. The comfortable rooms come equipped with a desk, TV, and private bathroom, and select units include a private kitchen area with a stovetop and cookware—a convenient perk for families traveling with children.
(Source: stayhere.ro)
UBA Accommodation
If you prefer ample space and all the comforts of home after catching festival films, UBA Accommodation makes an ideal retreat. The apartments feature private balconies, and the kitchens are fully equipped: in addition to a stovetop and oven, a dishwasher, refrigerator, and coffee maker are ready for use. Modern bathrooms include a hairdryer, fresh towels, and complimentary toiletries, and breakfast can be requested directly on-site to start your day smoothly.
(Source: stayhere.ro)
Plan your autumn cultural weekend in Cluj-Napoca in advance, and book the perfect stay directly on stayhere.ro!
