| Dracula | |
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 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Radu Jude |
| Screenplay by | Radu Jude |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Marius Panduru |
| Edited by | Cătălin Cristuțiu |
| Music by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Independenţa Film (Romania) |
Release date |
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Running time | 170 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Languages |
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| Budget | €1.5 million[1] |
| Box office | $26,498[2] |
Dracula is a 2025satiricalcomedy-drama film written and directed byRadu Jude. The film title is inspired by the 1897 Gothic horror novelDracula by Irish authorBram Stoker. Set in contemporaryTransylvania, it explores the legend of Dracula through Romanian lenses.[3][4]
The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the78th Locarno Film Festival on 10 August 2025, where it was nominated forGolden Leopard.[5]
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Principal photography began on 7 July 2024 on locations inTransylvania, Romania.[6][7] Made with a budget of €1.5 million, the project was shot over 29 days in various picturesque locations, including medieval fortresses inSighişoara andBucharest.[1]
In an interview inVariety Jude said, "IfKontinental '25 is my answer toRoberto Rossellini, let’s say thatDracula is my love letter toEd Wood" (referring to the American filmmaker, actor, and pulp novelist).[8]
Dracula premiered at the78th Locarno Film Festival on 10 August 2025, and competed for theGolden Leopard.[9][10] It was also presented in the Icon section at the30th Busan International Film Festival on 18 September 2025.[11]
The film also made it to the Currents Selections of the2025 New York Film Festival, where it had its New York Premiere on 2 October 2025.[12][13] On 2 October 2025, it was presented in Altered States section of2025 Vancouver International Film Festival.[14] The film was screened at theWarsaw Film Festival in Encounters section on 10 October 2025.[15] and in The Essentials for its Quebec Premiere at the2025 Festival du nouveau cinéma on 13 October 2025.[16]
On 16 October, it competed at the58th Sitges Film Festival in the 'Oficial Fantàstic Competició' section, vying for the various awards given in the section.[17][18]
It was also screened in the Spotlight Comedy section of the61st Chicago International Film Festival,[19] and in International Perspective at theSão Paulo International Film Festival on 24 October 2025.[20]
It will be screened in Survey Expanded: Fragilities at theThessaloniki International Film Festival on 6 November 2025.[21]
It was presented in the 'Best of Festivals' at the 29thTallinn Black Nights Film Festival on 7 November 2025.[22]
1-2 Special acquired North American rights to the film.[7]
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locarno Film Festival | 16 August 2025 | Golden Leopard | Dracula | Nominated | [8] |
| Junior Jury Awards | Second Prize | [23] | |||
| Sitges Film Festival | 19 October 2025 | Best Feature Film | Nominated | [24] |
