Alina Șerban’s directorial debut “I Matter” premieres at Venice, following a Roma woman’s attempt to balance two worlds

A young Roma woman at the center of “I Matter” is trying to keep two worlds from colliding, and the film’s creator is using that premise to draw from lived experience. The Hollywood Reporter reports that “I Matter,” a feature directorial debut by actress Alina Șerban, will premiere in Venice, with an exclusive clip released ahead of its festival run.

According to the report, the movie is inspired by Șerban’s own experiences and is positioned as the first film by a Roma woman to be selected for an “A-list” festival. In the clip described by The Hollywood Reporter, the story focuses on a character navigating competing obligations and social realities, using her daily decisions to prevent intimate life and broader circumstance from overwhelming one another.

The project’s framing emphasizes identity under pressure. The Hollywood Reporter’s description ties the film’s central tension to the social dynamics of being Roma, and the way that those dynamics can shape choices around work, family, and public perception. While the exact narrative mechanics are not detailed in the available description, the report characterizes the film as a struggle to maintain stability amid forces that push toward disruption.

As a festival title, “I Matter” lands in an environment where programming decisions can affect careers, distribution possibilities, and industry attention for filmmakers who have been historically underrepresented. The Hollywood Reporter’s placement of the film in Venice is presented as both an artistic and a representation milestone, reflecting an increased focus in major festivals on filmmakers from marginalized communities and on stories that connect personal experience to broader cultural questions.

The Hollywood Reporter report also identifies Șerban first as an actress, then as a first-time feature director. That transition matters for how the film may be received within the industry, because debut features often function as a proving ground for narrative control, tone, and the ability to sustain a full-length arc. The Venice premiere will determine how critics and programmers respond to the film’s approach to its themes.

Beyond festival screenings, a major European premiere can influence press attention, sales conversations, and future casting or directing opportunities. For audiences, the film’s premise suggests a drama that foregrounds family and community stakes, with attention to the ways social barriers can intersect with ordinary life, including the effort to preserve dignity when everyday circumstances become harder to manage.