The award ceremony took place at the Whitechapel Art Gallery on Friday and gathered British film stars and international filmmakers.
Paunescu became director-in-residence for the 2011 film festival and the next year’s program will present a focus on the Romanian cinematography.
„Francesca”, produced by Anca Puiu, Cristi Puiu and Bobby Paunescu, tells the story of a teacher who decides to emigrate to Italy for a better life. She manages to get a job in a place near Milan and convinces her parents to support her. Things get more and more complicated when it turns out Francesca’s boyfriend has borrowed some money he failed to return.
Romanian actress Monica Barladeanu, in the role of Francesca, stars alongside Dorian Boguta, Luminita Gheorghiu, Doru Ana, Dana Dogaru and Ion Sapdaru.
Paunescu was also awarded best director at the Bursa Silk Road Film Festival in Turkey for the same film in 2009.