Biografia
Robert Budina, born in Korça, Albania, is an independent film producer and director. He graduated from the Academy of Arts, specializing in Theater Directing, and has written and directed several theater plays. In 2001, he co-founded ERAFILM PRODUCTION Company with Sabina Kodra. Robert has held various roles such as producer, executive producer, and production supervisor in numerous international co-productions, including LETTERS IN THE WIND, BALKAN BAZAR, and BROKEN by Edmond Budina; LITTORAL by Wajdi Mouawad; FORGIVENESS OF BLOOD by Joshua Marston; BOTA by Iris Elezi & Thomas Logoreci; and SWORN VIRGIN by Laura Bispuri.
Robert directed his first short film, "LULEBORË," which was showcased at 40 film festivals worldwide, earning awards such as Best Film in Algarve, Portugal, and Best Male Actor in Tangier, Morocco. It was also broadcast on French public television France 3 and the Albanian National Public Television RTSH.
His debut feature film, AGON, screened at over 30 international festivals and won several awards, including Best Script at SEE a Paris and Best Film and Best Male Actor at the Bloody Hero International Film Festival in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
AGON was theatrically released in Albania with approximately 8,000 admissions, as well as in Greece. It was also broadcast on Digitalb Albania, Albanian National TV RTSH, Nova Greece, and Greek Public Radio and Television ERT SA.
In 2014, AGON was Albania’s official submission for the Oscars.
Robert’s second feature, A SHELTER AMONG THE CLOUDS, premiered in the Official Competition at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia in November 2018. It participated in over 20 other international festivals, winning awards such as the Global Visual Award at Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival in San Jose, USA; Best Film at La Valletta International Film Festival, Malta; Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Actress at PriFilmFest, Kosovo; and Best Music and Sound Mix at the Mediterranean Film Festival Valencia, Spain.
A SHELTER AMONG THE CLOUDS was released theatrically in Albania (around 5,000 admissions), Germany (about 20,000 admissions), Austria, and China. It was also broadcast on Digitalb Albania, Albanian National TV RTSH, and HBO.
In 2021, Robert wrote and directed the TV series THE SQUARE OF POWER, which aired on Albania’s largest national TV channel, KLAN, achieving an average audience rating of 35%.
Robert Budina is currently in preproduction on his third feature film, WATERDROP, a highly anticipated project aimed at film festivals and general audiences.
