Pluto Film has secured international sales rights for I Matter, the directorial debut of actress Alina Șerban, ahead of its world premiere in the Spotlight section at the Venice International Film Festival, according to the filmmakers.
Venice Spotlight Premiere Marks a Historic Milestone for Roma Representation
The feature drama stands as the first film by a Roma woman selected for an A-list festival, according to the filmmakers. Alina Șerban returns to the festival following her acting role in Goran Stolevski’s Housekeeping for Beginners. Her previous credits also include Alone at My Wedding, which was selected for the ACID lineup at the Cannes Film Festival, and the drama Gipsy Queen. A graduate of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), Șerban is a Knight of the Order of Cultural Merit in Romania and has spent 15 years creating space for Roma stories through theatre and film.
Plot Details and Production Team Behind I Matter
In I Matter, Șerban draws on her own journey to explore identity, belonging, and minority experiences. The film synopsis describes the narrative of Rebeca, a young Roma girl standing on the verge of leaving her orphanage. Rebeca clings to the hope that her father’s release from prison will give her a family, while simultaneously gaining acceptance into university to study acting. Just as she begins finding her place, her past catches up with her, forcing postponed choices. The drama was brought to the screen by Microfilm, 2PilotsFilmproduction, and Frakas Productions, working in co-production alongside ZDF Das kleine Fernsehspiel in partnership with ARTE, Lemming Film Belgium, Avanpost Media, Orange & Be tv, Proximus, Shelter Prod, and Romanian Television. Funding for the project was provided by the Romanian Film Center, The Government of Romania, Creative Europe – Media Programme of the European Union, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Film and Audiovisual Centre of Wallonia Brussels Federation, Tax shelter of the Belgian Federal Government, Taxshelter.be & ING, and The Belgian Development Cooperation.
Did you know? Alina Șerban is a graduate of both the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), and holds the title of Knight of the Order of Cultural Merit in Romania.
Producer and Sales Agent Perspectives on the International Release
Ada Solomon, main producer at Microfilm, noted that the film marks a milestone for a Roma woman filmmaker breaking into A-list festivals. According to Solomon, the production team was fascinated by Pluto Film’s clear vision and human touch during their initial discussions. Daniela Cölle, Managing Director at Pluto Film, stated that the company fell in love with the engaging and authentic character of Rebeca, viewing the film as a warmly human narrative that highlights resilience, identity, and the transformative power of art.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the premise of I Matter?
The drama follows Rebeca, a young Roma orphan who strives to build a new life through university acting studies while coping with her father’s prison release and the weight of her past.
Who directed the film?
The film is directed by actress Alina Șerban, marking her feature directorial debut.
Which company handles international sales?
Pluto Film holds the international sales rights for the feature.
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