In 2026, we will mark the 30th anniversary of the Sofia International Film Festival and we are dedicated to making this edition outstanding. The festival will take place from 12 to 22 March 2026 in Sofia, with additional programmе scheduled to run through the end of March in Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, and Varna.
SOFIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is the biggest competitive film festival in Bulgaria, accredited by FIAPF, included in the FIPRESCI calendar, and announced by Variety as one of the top 50 unmissable film events in the world. The festival is funded by the Creative Europe MEDIA Programme of the EU, the Sofia Municipality, the Bulgarian National Film Center, and the Ministry of Culture, with additional support from partners, sponsors, and friends. It is also part of the Sofia Municipality Calendar of Cultural Events.
We invite you to submit your films!
In attached file you will find the Regulations.
Submission form is available HERE
- Early Bird Deadline for Foreign Entries: October 1th, 2025 (35 EUR submission fee)
- Regular Deadline for Foreign Entries: November 20th, 2025 (45 EUR submission fee)
- Deadline for Bulgarian Features and Short Films: November 1st, 2025 (no submmission fee)
30th Sofia International Film Festival, 12th – 22nd of March 2026
Film Sections
- International Competition for First or Second Feature Films
- Balkan Competition
- International Documentary Competition
- Teen Competition
- Bulgarian Short Films Competition
Cinema Today – Masters - Kaleidoscope
- Special Screenings
- New Bulgarian Cinema
* VR Screenings (by invitations only) - Tributes and Retrospectives
- Cinema Gourmet
- Cinema and Fashion
- SFF Green
- SFF for Kids
- SFF for Blind People
- Special Events
Awards
- Sofia City of Film Grand Prix for Best Film
- Special Jury Award
- Best Director Award
- Best Balkan Film
- Best Documentary Film
- Best Bulgarian Short Film Award
- FIPRESCI Award
- Audience Award
- Teen Competition Award
For more information: