The Romanian Filmmakers Union (Romanian: Uniunea Cineaştilor din România), known as UCIN, is the continuation since 1990 of the Communist-era Asociaţia Cineaştilor din România (The Romanian Filmmakers Association). It is an autonomous, non-governmental body with an elected leadership, concerned with "the protection of the creative and professional activities, of the moral and material interests of the Romanian filmmakers." They award the Premiile Uniunii Cineaştilor din România, much as the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gives the Academy Awards.