Our Mission
The Romani Filmmakers Network (RFN) is a self organised trans-national network committed to increasing opportunities for Romani filmmakers across Europe and beyond. Our mission is to advocate for equity and inclusion within the international film industry, pushing for systemic change in policies and practices that have long excluded Romani narratives. RFN was founded to address this imbalance, empower Romani filmmakers, and create pathways and access points into the industry and for Romani storytelling to be seen and heard across global screens.
This network is where Romani leadership and creative autonomy are not exceptional but foundational.
Why RFN Exists
Romani filmmakers, their stories, and their perspectives have been historically excluded from the mainstream film industry. This systemic erasure has allowed racist, reductive portrayals to dominate European cinema, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and narratives of otherness.
The influence of on screen representation and its direct impact on Romani people’s everyday lived experiences is a critical aspect that must be taken into account.
What We Do
At RFN we are a transparent, community-driven network focused on supporting Romani filmmakers, advancing accurate representation, and leading international advocacy to challenge systemic inequities in the global film industry.
Our work spans three key areas:
Talent development
Accurate representation
Advocacy for equity and inclusion
Talent development
We create pathways for new and emerging Romani filmmakers to grow, connect, and thrive professionally through training, mentorship, and access to European industry platforms.
Key Initiatives:
- A space for self-organisation and exchange of knowledge, opportunities and collaboration.
- Industry Access Partnerships: RFN establishes connections
- with festivals, European training programs and film institutions.
Accurate Representation
We provide curations, consultancy, sensitivity readings and other services for festivals, producers and different stakeholders to platform Romani storytelling on its own terms, while actively challenging reductive or racist portrayals.
Key Initiatives:
- Festival Curations and Representation: RFN curates tailored Romani cinema showcases in partnership with European film festivals, and creates visible Romani cinema hubs in form of festival stands, sharing work, and holding panels.
- We advise and co-create programs with film education institutions, broadcasters and streaming platforms seeking to represent Romani stories responsibly — guided by the principles of narrative sovereignty.
Advocacy for equity and inclusion
RFN is committed to dismantling structural racism in the film industry through policy influence, education raising awareness on anti Gypsyism in film.
Key Initiatives:
- A Framework for Respectful Romani Representation.
- Mapping and advocacy for fundings for Romani filmmakers.
- Institutional partnerships & advocacy on national as well as on international levels, e.g. for having seats in major film institutions.
- Networking with film institutes and representatives of other marginalized groups.
Who we are
As the founding partners—Tuke.TV (an independent Romani media platform based in the Czech Republic), Das Kombinat e.V. (a Berlin-based trans-cultural initiative focused on anti-racist educational, artistic and media practices), and Romani led production company Patrin Films Ltd we are proud to launch the Romani Filmakers Network.
This is a network rooted in Romani creative sovereignty, equity, and solidarity.
While each partner brings distinct cultural experiences and strong community ties, we are united by a shared vision of cinema that is collaborative, decolonial, and trans-european in both form and practice. We do not seek inclusion on someone else’s terms, but built on Romani-led narratives and mutual support. This network is where Romani leadership, creative autonomy, and accurate storytelling are not exceptional, but foundational.
Through the RFN, we aim to dismantle structural barriers and build a future where Romani filmmakers hold the creative reins and tell stories grounded in truth and experience.
