Actress and director Alina Șerbanwas awarded in the Young Talents category at this year’s Gypsy Culture Awards of the Institute of Gypsy Culture/ Instituto de Cultura Gitana in Madrid.

She was awarded “for her international career and contribution to making the narratives of the Romani people more visible.”

The awards were held on April 8, the International Romani Day. The date marks the first World Roma Congress, held in London in 1971, seen as a pivotal moment for the affirmation of Roma identity, the standardization of the Romani language, and the assertion of civil rights.

Alina Șerban stars in the feature film Gipsy Queen, released in local cinemas at the end of February. The Austrian-German co-production directed by Hüseyin Tabak has been nominated for 11 international awards and won seven of them.