‘Wednesday’ filming hub Romania seeks Hollywood return after production slump

Officials say nearly 70 film and television projects have already entered the renewed programme since 2024

Romania is aiming to restore its reputation as a major international filming destination after introducing a revamped 30% cash rebate programme designed to attract foreign productions and rebuild confidence in the country’s industry.

The renewed incentive arrives after years of difficulties that saw the previous rebate system halted because of unpaid debts and uncertainty. The country’s Office for Film and Cultural Investments, known as OFIC, was established in 2024 to restructure the scheme and improve transparency for producers.

According to OFIC manager Valentin Savu, Romania has now cleared its previous financial obligations and created a simpler digital application process. The updated programme offers a 30% rebate on eligible Romanian production expenses, with projects able to receive up to €10m in reimbursements. The annual budget currently stands at €55m.

Romania previously hosted major productions including Netflix’s Wednesday and the television series Django. Industry figures believe the country is once again becoming attractive to international studios after a prolonged slowdown.

Since the programme returned in July 2024, around 70 film and television projects have either received approval or are currently undergoing the eligibility process. Nine productions have already completed the reimbursement stage.

Bogdan Moncea, head of production at Bucharest based Castel Film Studios, said confidence had suffered because of previous issues, but interest from international clients has started to return. He noted that discussions regarding new projects have increased significantly since the beginning of 2026.

Producer Iuliana Tarnovețchi of Alien Film echoed those sentiments, saying companies across the sector are currently preparing numerous productions for the second half of the year.

Romania’s film industry has also received a boost from recent international recognition. Director Cristian Mungiu won his second Palme d’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival with Fjord, starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve. The success has renewed attention on Romanian cinema, which gained worldwide prominence during the Romanian New Wave movement of the 2000s.

Industry leaders believe the momentum created by filmmakers such as Mungiu, Cristi Puiu, Corneliu Porumboiu and Radu Jude can help strengthen local production and attract more overseas investment.

Another advantage frequently highlighted by producers is Romania’s comparatively lower production costs when measured against Western European countries. Combined with experienced crews, established studios and diverse filming locations, officials believe the country is once again positioned as a competitive destination.

The Transilvania International Film Festival runs from June 12 to June 21.