Astra Film Junior 2026. From stories on screen to debates on stage

Between 19 and 23 October, in Sibiu, pupils are discovering the world through documentary films, debating artificial intelligence and education, and learning to spot disinformation. Can artificial intelligence control our emotions? How do we recognise information that is trying to manipulate us? What does it mean to feel at home? Astra Film Junior brings these questions into the cinema and gives pupils the space to seek answers, debate and express their own perspectives.

This year’s edition takes place from 19 to 23 October at the ‘Ion Besoiu’ Cultural Centre and the Thalia Hall of the Sibiu State Philharmonic. The programme is aimed at pupils from Sibiu and across the country, with films and activities for three age groups: 6+, 11+ and 15+. New features include on-stage debates with sixth-formers, a workshop on disinformation, an interactive documentary theatre performance and a new format for the comic strip competition. Full details about Astra Film Junior can be found on the website: https://astrafilm.ro/junior.  

High school pupils take the floor

On the first two days, screenings for secondary school pupils will be followed by debates centred on the questions ‘Can artificial intelligence control our emotions?’ and ‘Does education make society better?’. Organised in partnership with the debate clubs of secondary schools in Sibiu County, the sessions bring young people onto the stage to defend their views and exchange arguments based on the films they have watched.

The programme ‘How powerful is disinformation?’ continues with a workshop led by experts from Funky Citizens, dedicated to recognising information manipulation and fake news.

Another new addition is ‘Deșteptarea’, an interactive documentary theatre performance directed by Bobi Pricop, to which secondary school pupils, parents and teachers are invited. Scheduled for Thursday 22 October at 6.00 pm, at the “Ion Besoiu” Cultural Centre, the performance explores relationships among teenagers: friendships, conflicts, secrets and flirting, in a world where everyday interactions extend into social media.

The documentaries ‘We Are Strong!’ and ‘The Girl Who Conquers the Sky’ round off the selection for secondary school pupils with stories about the pressures and choices of adolescence.

Conversations about emotions, identity and the environment

For pupils aged 11 and over, the ‘What You Can’t See’ programme addresses children’s mental health, and the screening is followed by a discussion led by a specialist. “What Does Home Mean?” highlights migration and identity, whilst “Protecting the Climate with Numbers” offers the chance to meet an environmental activist.

The selection also includes stories about the sporting training and daily lives of refugee children. The documentary ‘The Wild Delta’, shown as a preview, invites pupils to discover the world of the Danube Delta.

Films adapted into comic strips by primary school pupils

For primary school pupils, four short film programmes (“No Limits”, “Imaginary Worlds”, “Jobs Without a Manual” and “Big Dreams”) present stories about acceptance, creativity, initiative and courage. The children’s on-screen experiences serve as starting points for classroom discussions and the comic strip competition.

Participants are invited to create a six-panel comic strip inspired by one of the programmes they have watched. This year, registration and submission of entries will take place exclusively online, between 19 and 27 October. In addition to the jury prizes, the competition includes the People’s Choice Award, decided by a vote in the online gallery. Full details can be found here: https://astrafilm.ro/junior/concurs/concurs-afj-2026/regulament.

In preparation for these activities, Astra Film Junior is organising, on 24 and 25 September, a visual storytelling and comics workshop for teachers, focusing on the basic principles of comics and how teachers can guide pupils in constructing a story through images.

Programme and tickets

The full programme for Astra Film Junior can be viewed here: https://astrafilm.ro/junior/program. To purchase tickets, teachers must create an account on the platform. For information on access to AF Junior events, tickets and group bookings, visit https://astrafilm.ro/junior/acces. 

Astra Film Junior was launched in 2007, the year Sibiu was European Capital of Culture, to give pupils access to real-life stories through cinema. The programme fosters connections between film, school and life beyond the classroom, encouraging children and teenagers to observe closely, ask questions and understand experiences different from their own.