We are proud to board I MATTER by Alina Șerban, which will celebrate its World Premiere at Venice FF 2026 in Spotlight Competition.

I MATTER
by Alina Șerban
Romania, Germany, Belgium, 2026, 100 min.

World Premiere:
08 September  21:00 – Sala Giardino
 

Rebeca, a young Roma girl, is on the verge of being kicked out of her orphanage. She clings to the hope that her father's release from prison will finally give her a family, unaware that growing up will demand more than she ever imagined.

As she stands on the verge of leaving the orphanage she called home, Rebeca, a young Roma girl, clings to the hope that her father's release from prison will finally give her the family she has always longed for. When she is accepted into university to study acting, life finally seems to be opening up for her. But just as Rebeca begins to find her place in this new world, the life she comes from starts to catch up with her, forcing her to make choices she can no longer postpone.

“We are thrilled and honoured to join the team with Ada Solomon and Carla Fotea from microFILM and bring audiences this powerful debut feature. Director Alina Șerban tells a deeply personal story that resonates far beyond the screen. We fell in love with Rebeca—her character is so engaging and authentic that you find yourself completely invested in her journey. Rooted in the director’s own experiences, I Matter is more than a story of empowerment for young people facing systemic disadvantage. It’s a warmly human narrative that invites audiences to truly understand the complexities of overcoming a difficult background. We’re confident this story will connect with audiences globally and spark important conversations about resilience, identity, and the transformative power of art”, commented Daniela Cölle, Managing Director at Pluto Film.

Read the full article in DEADLINE!