Alina Șerban’s multilingual feature film I Matter (Eu Contez) will have its Indian premiere as the Mid-Fest film at the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2026, scheduled to take place in Goa from November 20 to 28.
Written and directed by Alina Șerban, the 101-minute drama is a co-production of Romania, Germany and Belgium. The film features dialogues in Romanian and Romani and explores themes of identity, family, belonging and the search for a better future.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
I Matter (Eu Contez) selected as the Mid-Fest film at IFFI 2026.
Indian premiere scheduled for November 24.
Written and directed by Alina Șerban.
A 101-minute co-production of Romania, Germany and Belgium.
Features dialogues in Romanian and Romani.
Received the Armani Beauty Audience Award at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
The story follows Rebeca, a young Roma woman preparing to leave the orphanage where she grew up. She hopes that her father's release from prison will help her find the family stability she has always wanted. Her admission to university to study acting brings new possibilities, but as she adjusts to an unfamiliar environment, experiences from her past force her to confront difficult choices.
Through Rebeca's journey, the film examines the challenges of growing up without a stable family environment, the search for acceptance and the determination to build an independent future.
I Matter marks the feature directorial debut of Alina Șerban, an award-winning actress, writer and playwright. She is a graduate of the National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest and has also studied at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The film brings a story centred on Roma identity, family relationships and social inclusion to an Indian international film festival. Its selection also highlights the growing international visibility of filmmakers presenting stories from underrepresented communities.
Her earlier screen credits include Alone at My Wedding, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, Gipsy Queen, for which she received several Best Actress honours, and Housekeeping for Beginners, which was screened at the Venice Film Festival.
The film premiered in the Venice Spotlight section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in September 2026, where it received the Armani Beauty Audience Award.
The cast includes Denisa Farcaș as Rebeca, alongside Sorin Mihai, Angelina Pavel, Vanessa Dancea, Raisa Mihai, Alexandru Stancu, Alina Berzunțeanu and Natalia Călin.
The Mid-Fest screening will take place on November 24 at 4:30 PM simultaneously at PVR INOX Panjim (Audi 1) and PVR INOX Porvorim (Audi 1). Director Alina Șerban and lead actress Denisa Farcaș are scheduled to attend as special guests. A red-carpet event is also planned at PVR INOX Panjim on the same day.
The 57th IFFI, organised in Goa from November 20 to 28, will showcase more than 150 international films representing 86 countries through competitive and non-competitive sections, curated programmes, retrospectives and special screenings.
