Cosmina Stratan was born on 20th Oct. 1984 in Iasi, Romania. She graduated in Journalism and then studied Acting at the National University of Theatre and Film "I.L.Caragiale" (UNATC) in Bucharest, Romania. After graduating, she played her first lead role in Dupa dealuri (2012) by Palme d'Or winner Cristian Mungiu. Together with co-star Cristina Flutur she won the award for 'Best Actress' at the 65th Cannes International Film Festival in 2012, while Mungiu won 'Best Screenplay'. Stratan then acted in the popular Romanian TV series Rãmâi cu mine (2013), before she was cast in the Scandinavian horror film Shelley (2016), which premiered at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. The ambitious genre feature received positive reviews and sold internationally. Cosmina Stratan's performance was praised in Variety and the Hollywood Reporter.