Doc@PÖFF International Competition Jury Special Prize

Elena is 42 years old and has big dreams. The beating heart of her remote Moldovan village, she organises community clean-ups, supports lonely elders, and each year dons a Santa Claus costume to bring joy to her neighbours. But beneath the suit, Elena is driven by ambition and a desire to shake things up. Her dream? To become mayor.

Filmed over seven years in an observational, handheld style that draws us directly into her world, the documentary follows Elena as she searches for her place in life. Facing pressure from her family and resistance from her community, she defies the prescribed roles of mother, daughter, wife, and tradition itself in pursuit of her own happiness and purpose.

Both intimate and universal, “Electing Miss Santa” is a moving exploration of identity,
ambition, and self-discovery. A powerful debut feature by director Raisa Răzmeriță, it is a testament to patient storytelling, and an inspiration to anyone who has ever dared to dream.

Mike Arnott