Behind the Scenes at the 2025 Gopo Awards – In Pictures

1 May, 2025

Behind the curtain, it’s a different kind of magic—less about trophies, more about warm hugs, bursts of laughter, heartfelt reunions, and high heels traded for comfy sneakers. Photographer Sabina Costinel slipped into the backstage world of the Gopo Awards Gala to capture glimpses of what lies beyond the spotlight, beyond the scripts and speeches: the human side of the celebration.

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Andrei Miercure (The New Year That Never Came) at Gopo Awards.

 

Debut director: Ana Maria Comănescu, nominated for the film Horia.

 

Reunions: actor Cristian Bota and director Eugen Jebeleanu.

 

Ioana Bugarin

 

ProTV in a selfie: Andreea Esca and actors Marian Olteanu and Bogdan Farcaș.
Oana Zamfir (TV presenter at Digi24).
Gopo Trophies, designed by Adrian Ilfoveanu.
Claudiu Teohari (Teo) returned as host of the Gopo Awards Gala for the second year in a row.
The 19th edition of the Gopo Awards Gala took place at the National Theatre Bucharest (TNB).
Victoria Răileanu
This year, the film The New Year That Never Came, directed by Bogdan Mureșanu, took home the most awards.
In the spotlight: Ciprian Chiricheș, awarded for his role as Gheorghiță in Holy Week, and Răzvan Penescu of PwC Romania, the firm ensuring the integrity of the voting process.
Rodica Mandache and Tudor Chirilă each took the stage to present an award at the Gopo Awards Gala.
Ciprian Chiujdea (Three Kilometres to the End of the World) emerged as the “rising star” of the 2025 Gopo Awards Gala.
Close-up: Carol Ionescu and Nicoleta Hâncu
Nicoleta Hâncu received the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Florina Miu in The New Year That Never Came.
The Gopo Award for Best Sound went to Sebastian Zsemlye for The New Year That Never Came. He also received the same statuette for Occasional Spies (2023) and Dogs (2017).
Andrei Ujică and Bogdan Mureșanu, backstage at the Gopo Awards Gala, after receiving the award for Best Director.
Adrian Văncică (from Anul Nou care n-a fost) was voted the best actor in a leading role and received his first Gopo Award.
After the awards ceremony, the event continued with a rooftop party at Aria TNB.
… featuring dancing and plenty of smiles.
Miruna Berescu and Emanuel Pârvu (Three Kilometres to The End of The World)
Dana Rogoz and Mădălina Craiu on the dancefloor.
Dress code: black tie & adidas, a match!
No party is complete without discussions about films, with curators Ionuț Mareș and Călin Boto.


Photographer and filmmaker, born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. She always has her camera around to record anything magical. She likes traveling, observing and hanging out with creative people.

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