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Who wants to be a wife when you could be the next great filmmaker?

Gioia has just turned 18 and according to her Romani parents it's time for them to marry her off to a suitable boy. But as an independent young woman, Gioia's more attracted to the gadjos (non-Romani) life on offer in contemporary Italy. After auditioning for a commercial, she discovers a passion for cinema – in particular the films of Woody Allen – and becomes fixated with the idea of becoming a filmmaker. Unfortunately, her family has other ideas.

A sweetly told coming-of-age story, Me Romantic Romani is the feature debut from Laura Halilovic. Using gentle humour and wry observations about the oft-discriminated against and misunderstood Romani people, Halilovic has crafted a warm-hearted, timeless tale of young love, rebellion, culture-clash and the need to let children trace their own path in life.

MIFF recommends ages 10+

All films featured as part of the Next Gen program are approved for screening by the Australian Classification Board. Next Gen screenings are open to all ages, but people under the age of 15 must attend in the company of an adult guardian.

School-group bookings are also available for this film; visit Next Gen for more details.