Aurelian Culea wins the Grand Prize at the Young Actor's Gala - HOP #28

Actor Aurelian Culea, a 2020 graduate of the National University of Theatre and Film "I.L. Caragiale" Bucharest, won the "Stefan Iordache" Grand Prize at the 28th edition of the Young Actor's Gala - HOP 2025 on Sunday.

The award was announced by scenographer Dragos Buhagiar, president of UNITER, who encouraged young actors to create their own safe spaces and strive for excellence alongside skilled peers.

"You have to live intensely. In a way, everything is in your hands. So if you want a safe, clean space, don't wait for others to give it to you. Create it yourselves, start with yourselves first. Good things always develop from within, from the depths of the soul. Don't wish to work with people who are less prepared. Rejoice when someone next to you wins a prize. You can't be excellent with someone weak by your side; you can't grow that way," conveyed Dragos Buhagiar.

The Grand Prize of the Young Actor's Gala - HOP, supported by the sister of the late actor Stefan Iordache in his memory, honors emerging talent. Originally established in 2009 for the best individual actor, the award has since evolved into the Gala's top prize.

Actress Cristina Bordeanu, a 2022 graduate of Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, received the Best Actress Award in the individual category, announced by Liviu Jicman, president of the Romanian Cultural Institute.

Costin Stancioi, a 2024 graduate of the National University of Theatre and Film "I.L. Caragiale," won the Best Actor Award in the individual category, announced by director Mariana Camarasan. He also received two additional awards: the Dorina Lazar Award for Stage Presence, Vocal Delivery, and Body Expression, and the '1/10 for FILM at TIFF' Award.

The jury decided not to award the "Cornel Todea" Prize for Best Ensemble this year. The "Sica Alexandrescu" Special Jury Prize was awarded ex aequo to actresses Buse Ozgul and Teodora Tudose, both 2024 graduates of the National University of Theatre and Film "I.L. Caragiale."

Audience awards, determined via online voting, went to Iulia Ioana (Best Actress), Laurentiu Bobeica (Best Actor), and Alex Stoiculescu and Alex Gabera with the play Interior-Expus after Mede/ea sau Despre fericirea conjugala by Roxana Marian (Best Ensemble).

The jury comprised prominent figures from the Romanian theatre scene: Marina Constantinescu (theatre critic), Andreea Gramosteanu (actress), Bobi Pricop (director), Adrian Vancica (actor), and Vladimir Anton (director).

Prior to the awards ceremony, the play O Insula/An Island, based on Gellu Naum and directed with music and lyrics by Ada Milea, was performed by the State Theatre of Constanta, featuring actors Stefan Mihai, Marian Adochitei, Mihaela Velicu, Ecaterina Lupu, Luiza Martinescu, Mirela Pana, Andrei Bibire, Cosmin Mihale, Andrei Stroescu, and Lucian Iftime.

UNITER emphasizes that through the Young Actor's Gala - HOP, it continues to provide an essential platform for new generations of artists, offering visibility, professional debut opportunities, and a launchpad into the Romanian theatre world.