Astra Film Festival

Festivalul Internațional de Film Documentar Astra

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Arts & CultureSibiu
Dates17–25 October 2026Confirmed listing
Duration9 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsAstra's longevity and consistency give it
Language["ro"]Currency: RON
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Astra Film Festival in Sibiu

The Astra Film Festival is a documentary film festival held annually in Sibiu, founded in 1993, making it one of the oldest and most respected documentary festivals in Eastern Europe. Held typically in autumn, it screens international and Romanian documentaries across competitive and thematic sections, alongside industry panels and educational programming.

In 1993, only a few years after Romania's 1989 revolution ended decades of communist rule and state control over cinema, Sibiu became host to two new festivals founded the same year with very different focuses: the sprawling, internationally oriented Sibiu International Theatre Festival, and the smaller, more specialized Astra Film Festival, dedicated specifically to documentary.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Astra's longevity and consistency give it particular standing: founded in 1993, the same year as Sibiu's much larger performing arts counterpart, the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, it has spent three decades building a reputation specifically around documentary film at a time when few dedicated documentary festivals existed in the post-communist region

02

The mystery stays covered

Its programming favors social and observational documentary work, often addressing Eastern European and Romanian subjects still under-covered by larger Western festivals, giving it a distinct curatorial identity separate from Sibiu's theatre-focused summer event

03

The city starts moving

The festival's name references Astra, the historic Transylvanian Association for Romanian Literature and Culture of the Romanian People, tying the event to a much older regional cultural institution

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival is named for Astra

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the nineteenth-century Transylvanian Association for Romanian Literature and Culture of the Romanian People

The sacred route

Living ritual

linking a modern documentary festival to a historic regional cultural institution

The local code

Living ritual

and has run continuously since 1993 with a consistent focus on documentary as a distinct art form from narrative cinema

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

17–25 October 2026

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Sibiu you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Casual clothing is appropriate throughout, since screenings and panels are the festival's focus rather than red-carpet events; a light jacket is useful given the cooler autumn temperatures...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Astra Film Festival runs late.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

["ro"] · RON

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map45.80 N, 24.15 EOpen in Google Maps

Sibiu, Sibiu, Romania

Nearest airportSBZ — Sibiu
TransportStay close enough to the part of Sibiu you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Astra Film Festival runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Sibiu via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Sibiu, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearCasual clothing is appropriate throughout, since screenings and panels are the festival's focus rather than red-carpet events; a light jacket is useful given the cooler autumn temperatures typical of the festival's usual scheduling.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Romania and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Astra Film Festival?

Astra Film Festival is listed for 17–25 October 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Astra Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Sibiu, Romania. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

9 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Sibiu, Sibiu, Romania

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLastrafilm.ro
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates17–25 October 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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