The 2026 Gopo Awards
In Bucharest, the 2026 Gopo Awards were presented during a Gala that celebrated the most important achievements of Romanian cinema from the previous year
Roxana Vasile, 05.05.2026, 13:50
The French have the Césars, the Americans have the Oscars — and in Romania, the most prestigious annual awards for film professionals carry the name of Gopo, after the famous animated character created by the late filmmaker Ion Popescu‑Gopo, and transformed into a trophy by artist Adrian Ilfoveanu. Each year, following the individual and secret vote of around 600 active members of the film industry, and based on nominations selected beforehand by a jury, the most significant productions and voices of the previous year are honored with Gopo statuettes.
The first Gala took place in 2007, marking 50 years since Ion Popescu‑Gopo won the Palme d’Or in Cannes for Best Animated Short with A Brief History. The intention was to celebrate both his legacy and the rise of Romanian cinema, which in recent years has gained international recognition through numerous awards and festival selections.
Now at its 20th edition, the Gopo Awards Gala was held Monday evening at the National Theatre “I. L. Caragiale” in Bucharest.
Kontinental ’25, directed by Radu Jude, received the award for Best Feature Film. It also won Best Actress in a Leading Role for Eszter Tompa, and Best Supporting Actor for Gabriel Spahiu.
Igor Cobileanski’s Comatogen was also honored with two major distinctions: Best Director and Best Screenplay. The award for Best Supporting Actress went to Marina Palii for her role in Baby Teeth, directed by Mihai Mincan.
But the film that collected the most Gopo trophies (seven in total, especially in technical and visual categories) was The Yellow Tie, dedicated to the great Romanian conductor Sergiu Celibidache. It won Best Actor in a Leading Role for British actor Ben Schnetzer, as well as awards for Best Production Design, Best Sound, Best Costume Design, Best Make‑up and Hairstyling, and Best Editing. It also received the Audience Award for the Romanian film with the highest box‑office success, a sign of strong public reception beyond the juries.
Lifetime Achievement Awards went this year to director Laurențiu Damian, actor Ovidiu Schumacher, and actress Dorina Lazăr.
According to industry observers, the Gala highlighted both a new generation in formation and a diversity of aesthetic directions. (VP)
