Cristian Mungiu (born 1968, Iași) is a Romanian film director, screenwriter and producer, and a central figure of the Romanian New Wave. He became the first Romanian filmmaker to win the Palme d'Or, for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007), and later took Best Screenplay at Cannes for Beyond the Hills (2012) and Best Director for Graduation (2016). In 2026 his drama Fjord won him a second Palme d'Or, making him only the tenth director in history to achieve that feat.
The film Fjord won the Golden Palm at the 79th Cannes Film Festival - Mungiu became only the tenth filmmaker in history to receive this award twice.
Fjord had an exclusive premiere in Romania on June 13, 2026 on 315 screens in 53 cities and became the most successful art film in the history of Romanian film distribution.
American distributor Neon set the release date for the film Fjord in US cinemas for October 9, 2026 - the same date the studio chose for previous Golden Palm winners Parasite, Anora, and Anatomy of a Fall.
The film Fjord will be screened at the International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary and at the Nordic International Film Festival in July 2026.
Mungiu was named patron of Atlas Workshops at the International Film Festival in Marrakech, where he mentored 28 projects of emerging filmmakers from the Middle East and Africa.
A Romanian drama following a woman who returns to reclaim her childhood love, now living in a remote monastery. A story of love, faith, and personal freedom.
A Romanian psychological drama exploring tensions between a local community and refugees, with profound social commentary.
