Cinema Union, located at 21 Ion Câmpineanu Street, just off University Square, is one of the last functioning state-owned cinemas in Bucharest. Managed by RomâniaFilm, it has somehow survived the multiplex era and decades of chronic underfunding. Unlike commercial theaters, Union has maintained a clear identity as a space for auteur cinema: recent Romanian films, European productions, archive screenings, and niche festivals.

The theater is small, with a distinct 1980s vibe—no luxury, no cutting-edge tech—but it offers clean projections, solid sound, and affordable tickets. The audience includes film students from UNATC, cinephiles, industry professionals, and curious viewers looking for something beyond the mainstream. Events are regular: retrospectives, cine-clubs, and special screenings often followed by Q&As with directors and critics.

Union is also a favored venue for the NexT International Film Festival and other initiatives supporting independent cinema. Despite the lack of major investment, it continues to operate thanks to a dedicated team and a loyal public unwilling to let it disappear.

How to get there: Cinema Union is a 5-minute walk from Universitate metro station (M2). You can also reach it by buses 122, 137, 138, 268, 336, 601 or trolleybuses 61 and 66. It’s located directly across from Hotel Capitol, in a highly accessible central area.