Dracula | |
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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 |
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Budget | €1.5 million [1] |
Dracula is a 2025 comedy-drama film written and directed by Radu Jude. The film title is inspired by Gothic horror novel by Irish author Bram Stoker's Dracula . Set in contemporary Transylvania, it explores the legend of Dracula through Romanian lenses. [2] [3]
The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 10 August 2025, where it was nominated for Golden Leopard. [4]
Principal photography began on 7 July 2024 on locations in Transylvania, Romania. [5] [6] [7] Made with a budget of €1.5 million, the project was shot over 29 days in various picturesque locations, including medieval fortresses in Sighişoara and Bucharest. [1]
In an interview to the Variety Jude said, "If Kontinental '25 is my answer to Roberto Rossellini, let’s say that Dracula is my love letter to Ed Wood" (referring to the American filmmaker, actor, and pulp novelist). [8]
Dracula premiered at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 10 August 2025, and competed for the Golden Leopard. [9] [10] It was also presented in the Icon section at the 30th Busan International Film Festival on 18 September 2025. [11]
The film also made it to the Currents Selections of the 2025 New York Film Festival, where it will have its New York Premiere in October 2025. [12] On 2 October 2025, it will be presented in Altered States section of 2025 Vancouver International Film Festival. [13] In October, it will also compete in the 58th Sitges Film Festival in the 'Oficial Fantàstic Competició' section, vying for the various awards given in the section. [14] [15] The film will be screened in The Essentials for its Quebec Premiere at the 2025 Festival du nouveau cinéma on 13 October 2025. [16]
It will also be screened in the Spotlight Comedy section of the 61st Chicago International Film Festival on 24 October 2025. [17]
1-2 Special acquired North American rights to the film. [6]
Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
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Locarno Film Festival | 16 August 2025 | Golden Leopard | Dracula | Nominated | [8] |
Junior Jury Awards | Second Prize | [18] | |||
Sitges Film Festival | 19 October 2025 | Best Feature Film | Pending | [19] |