Alina Șerban Brings Feature Debut 'I Matter' to Venice Spotlight

Romanian stage actress and filmmaker Alina Șerban is heading to the Lido this week for the world premiere of her feature directorial debut, "I Matter." The project screens as part of the festival's Venice Spotlight section, marking a significant milestone for Roma cinema on the international circuit.

Șerban built a prominent theatrical career in Romania after rising from an impoverished background. Her transition to feature filmmaking follows years of barrier-breaking work as an artist and performer from the marginalized Roma minority, a demographic that remains severely underrepresented across European screen industries.

Speaking to Variety regarding the journey to complete the film, Șerban noted the emotional and structural weight behind the production, saying, "I managed to do something impossible," while reflecting on the mix of pain and joy required to bring the independent feature to fruition.

## Broadening European Representation

European festival slates have faced persistent scrutiny over the lack of diverse regional perspectives, particularly from Roma creators who routinely struggle to access state funding bodies, co-production incentives, and mainstream distribution networks. Șerban's entry into the Venice program provides a high-profile platform for non-traditional narratives in an industry often reliant on legacy production hubs.

The Venice Spotlight rollout offers "I Matter" its initial critical test, positioning Șerban as a dual-threat talent to watch on the fall festival circuit as international buyers and programmers evaluate independent European titles.