Don't Let Me Die () is a 2025 mystery drama film co–written and directed by Andrei Epure in his feature debut. The film starring Cosmina Stratan, follows Maria, who gets entangled in a maze of bureaucracy and affairs of dead neighbour, when the corpse of her neighbour is found in front of her apartment window.
An international co-production among Romania, Bulgaria, and France, the film had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 12 August 2025, in the Filmmakers of the Present Competition section, where it competed for Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present
Cast
Cosmina Stratan as Maria Elina Löwensohn as Isabela Silvia Debu Mihaela Sirbu Ozana Oancea Gabriel Albert Costea Elias Ferkin Lucian Pavel Isabela Neamtu as Irina Ana Dumitrascu Ioana Crăciunescu Cezar Grumăzescu Georgi Yordanov
Production Development
In 2022, writer-director Andrei Epure conceived the idea for the film while riding a bus. He overheard a conversation between strangers about a Romanian journalist who had been found dead in her apartment, two weeks after her death. Struck by the tragedy, he was inspired to create a film that would “explore the anguish of passing away in complete indifference.” The project developed at the 44th Cannes’ Résidence du Festival, held from 1 March to 15 July 2022, had production commitment from Bucharest-based Saga Film and co-production by Paris-based Tomsa Films. It was scheduled for filming in 2024.
Release Don't Let Me Die had its world premiere in the 'Filmmakers of the Present Competition' section of the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 12 August 2025, vying for the Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present.
It will compete in Meet the Neighbors Competition section at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in November 2025.
Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Locarno Film Festival16 August 2025 Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present Don't Let Me Die
References
External links
Don't Let Me Die at Locarno Film Festival