Support Festival of Thinking New York 2026

November 17-20, 2026 · New York City · Fiscally Sponsored by Romanian United Foundation

Donate now

Festival of Thinking is an interdisciplinary platform at the intersection of film, tech, and entrepreneurship. After three editions in Bucharest, the festival holds its first New York edition this November. We bring young Romanian creators face to face with mentors, investors, and professionals from the American industry, and in 2027 we will bring the New York winners to Romania.

The festival lives on well beyond its programming days. The first edition gave rise to the short film “Fire and Ice”, which you can watch on November 19 in New York, with its creators, Valentin Fogoroș and Samuel Druhora, in attendance. After the second edition, one of the participants took over a business. The third edition is producing the feature debut of a young female director, co-produced with our mentor Meg Thomson.

Behind the scenes, a team of 4 young people is working intensively to make the festival happen. Festival of Thinking is built by young people, for young people.

What We Offer to Young Creators

Festival of Thinking doesn't end when the lights go up. We stay with our young participants long after the festival:

• 1:1 meetings with international mentors and investors
• Career support tailored to each participant
• Ongoing guidance as we follow and help move their projects forward
• Connections with professionals who can become their long-term mentors
• Global promotion for them and their work

What We've Already Secured

We have brought together in New York international mentors and investors committed to supporting young talent and cultural diplomacy, and we have covered their accommodation and travel:

• Mark Foligno, Executive Producer, "The King's Speech"
• Hannah Lindsay, Strategic Growth Advisor, ex-De Beers
• Dr. Daniela Maior, Partner & Co-Founder, VERTIK Group · President, ARIR
• Diar Abdlkarim, Research Fellow, University of Birmingham
• Titus Ardeleanu, Business Developer & LD, OVB Allfinanz Romania
• Dr. Daniel Molina, family physician and artist, creator of Stickadoodles®

They are joined by directors and producers Andrei Dăscălescu, Andreea Borțun, and Cristian Gugu.

In addition:

• We have covered 4 networking dinners with the festival's guests
• We sent the Festival of Thinking Bucharest winners to the International Emmy Awards Gala and Emmy Education, an investment of $18,000 (3 people × $6,000)

Mentors & speakers

• Mark Foligno – Executive Producer, “The King’s Speech”
• Meg Thomson – EVP Worldwide Content, Globalgate
• Hannah Lindsay – Strategic Growth Advisor, ex-De Beers
• Sean Glass – producer and director; former Head of Connect, Apple Music
• Andreea Drogeanu – Tribeca
• Diar Abdlkarim – Research Fellow, University of Birmingham
• Vivek Singh – SVP of IT & Strategic Planning, PALNA
• Dr. Daniela Maior – Partner & Co-Founder, VERTIK Group · President, ARIR
• Simona Vasile – Tax Principal, BDO USA
• Titus Ardeleanu – Business Developer & LD, OVB Allfinanz Romania
• Matei Puiu – VP of Banking and Financial Services, Endava
• Cris Pop – Founder, Thunder
• Virginia Oțel – PWN Romania
• Carmen Ciulian – Vice President, Museum of Remarkable Women, PWN Romania
• Larysa Gutarevych – Producer, Sarke Studio (Ukraine)
• Viorel Chesaru – Director, Chainsaw Europe · Director General, UPFAR-ARGOA
• Gabriela Suciu-Pădurețu – Vice Dean, Film Faculty, UNATC Bucharest (online)
• Alexandru Baltă – Producer, Retina Film Production
• Dr. Daniel Molina – family physician and artist, creator of Stickadoodles®

What We Are Raising Funds For

Our goal is in two stages:

Stage 1 – The New York festival: $28,700

• Venues for the film screenings and festival panels
• Marketing and promotion for the edition
• Two meals a day for the team and the selected students
• Travel for the New York winners to Festival of Thinking Bucharest 2027

Stage 2 – Partnership with International Emmy: $23,000

A one-year partnership between Festival of Thinking and International Emmy, giving the young people in our community access to one of the most important institutions in global television.

Why It Matters

Every dollar builds a bridge between Romania and the United States. Our young people gain real access to the industry, and the New York winners come to Bucharest in 2027. The exchange goes both ways. This is only the beginning: our goal is to make New York a home for Festival of Thinking, with many more editions to come.

How You Can Help

Every amount counts:

• $500 covers lunch for the students for one festival day
• $2,000 gives the Festival of Thinking community the chance to partner with the Emmys
• $2,500 pays for a young talent's ticket to Bucharest in 2027

What You Need to Know

Donations are made through Romanian United Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and are tax-deductible in the US to the extent allowed by law. You will receive a donation receipt directly from RUF.

Be part of the story that gives young Romanian talent a seat at the world's most important tables.