The Romanian New Wave (Romanian: Noul val românesc) is a genre of realist and often minimalist films made in Romania since the mid-aughts, starting with Trafic, which won the Short Film Palme d'Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.
A great number of films that are part of the Romanian New Wave are set in the late 1980s, towards the end of Nicolae Ceaușescu's government, and explore themes of liberty and resilience. However, films such as The Death of Mr. Lăzărescu, California Dreamin' and Tuesday, After Christmas are set in modern-day Romania and delve into the ways the transition to free-market capitalism and democracy shaped Romanian society after 1989.
Aesthetically, films of the Romanian New Wave are united by an austere, realist and often minimalist style. Furthermore, black humour tends to feature prominently.
Stuff and Dough (Marfa și banii) by Cristi Puiu (2001) — considered to be the first feature film of the Romanian New Wave.
The Death of Mr. Lăzărescu (Moartea Domnului Lăzărescu) by Cristi Puiu (2005) — Won the Un Certain Regard at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival
12:08 East of Bucharest (A fost sau n-a fost?) by Corneliu Porumboiu (2006) — Won the Caméra d'Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival
The Way I Spent the End of the World (Cum mi-am petrecut sfârșitul lumii) by Cătălin Mitulescu (2006)
The Paper Will Be Blue (Hârtia va fi albastră) by Radu Muntean (2006)
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (4 luni, 3 săptămâni si 2 zile) by Cristian Mungiu (2007) — Won the Palme d'Or at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival
California Dreamin' by Cristian Nemescu (2007) — Won the Un Certain Regard at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival
Boogie by Radu Muntean (2008)
Police, Adjective (Polițist, Adjectiv) by Corneliu Porumboiu (2009) — Won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Tuesday, After Christmas (Marți, după Crăciun) by Radu Muntean (2010)
Aurora by Cristi Puiu (2010)
Beyond the Hills (După dealuri) by Cristian Mungiu (2012) — Won the Best Screenplay Award at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival
Child's Pose (Poziția copilului) by Călin Peter Netzer (2013) — Won the Golden Bear at the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival
When Evening Falls on Bucharest or Metabolism (Când se lasa seara peste Bucuresti sau metabolism) by Corneliu Porumboiu (2013)
One Floor Below (Un etaj mai jos) by Radu Muntean (2015)
The Treasure (Comoara) by Corneliu Porumboiu (2015) — Won the Un Certain Talent in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival
Graduation (Bacalaureat) by Cristian Mungiu (2016)
Sieranevada by Cristi Puiu (2016)
Cigarettes and Coffee (Un cartuș de Kent și un pachet de cafea) by Cristi Puiu (2004) - Won the Golden Bear for Short Film at the 54th Berlin International Film Festival
Occident by Cristian Mungiu (2002)
Liviu's Dream (Visul lui Liviu) by Corneliu Porumboiu (2004)
Traffic (Trafic) by Cătălin Mitulescu (2004) - Won the Short Film Palme d'Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival
Marilena from P7 (Marilena de la P7) by Cristian Nemescu (2006)
Megatron (short film) by Marian Crișan (2008) - Won the Short Film Palme d'Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival
Hooked (Pescuit sportiv) by Adrian Sitaru (2008) - Won in the New Voices/New Vision section at the 20th Palm Springs International Film Festival
Tales from the Golden Age (Amintiri din Epoca de Aur) by Cristian Mungiu, Constantin Popescu, Ioana Uricaru, Răzvan Mărculescu (2009)
The Happiest Girl in the World (Cea mai fericită fată din lume) by Radu Jude (2009)
The Other Irene (Cealaltă Irina) by Andrei Gruzsniczki (2009)
Medal of Honour (Medalia de onoare) by Călin Peter Netzer (2009)
First of all, Felicia (Felicia, înainte de toate) by Melissa de Raaf & Răzvan Rădulescu (2009)
If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle (Daca vreau să fluier, fluier) by Florin Șerban (2010) - Won the Jury Grand Prix Silver Bear at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival
Morgen by Marian Crișan (2010) - Won the Special Jury Prize at the 63rd Locarno International Film Festival
Outbound by Bogdan George Apetri (2010)
Portrait of the Fighter as a Young Man (Portretul luptătorului la tinerețe) by Constantin Popescu (2010)
Loverboy by Cătălin Mitulescu (2011)
Best Intentions (Din dragoste cu cele mai bune intenţii) by Adrian Sitaru (2011) - Won the Leopard for the Best Direction at the 64th Locarno International Film Festival
Everybody in Our Family (Toată lumea din familia noastră) by Radu Jude (2012)
Aferim! by Radu Jude (2015) — Won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival
