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In today’s 9th edition of our imaginary online festival diary we present to you the film that received 4 Academy Awards this year and the “Golden Palm” at Cannes in 2019 – “Parasite” by Bong Joon Ho. One Oscar less, but with 11 nominations is “Roma” by Alfonso Cuarón, introduced by it’s producer Nicolás Celis, member of the International Jury of SIFF. “Women’s day” by Dolya Gavanski will be presented with videos by Dolya and co-producer Martichka Bozhilova. Together with Institut Français de Bulgarie, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie and certain embassies, we have curated a rich programme Francophonie 50 that opens officially this Friday with “A Son” by Mehdi M. Barsaoui. We present the film that will follow this year’s ceremony – “The Barefoot Emperor” by Jessica Woodworth and Peter Brosens, a co-production between Belgium, The Netherlands, Croatia and Bulgaria. On Friday begins the 17th Sofia Meetings co-production market, one of the leading professional film platforms in Europe.

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In today’s online diary of the festival we present to you Stefan Laudyn, director of the Warsaw International Film Festival, member of the International Jury for Bulgarian feature films. On Thursday we scheduled the premiere of one of the most successful Bulgarian films of 2019 – “Sister” by Svetla Tsotsorkova. Special video messages come from Svetla, co-writer and produces Svetoslav Ovtcharov and the actors Assen Blatechky and Elena Zamyarkova. On that day is also the world premiere of the new documentary by Adela Peeva “Silence with Dignity” about Irina Aktasheva and Hristo Piskov. Adela Peeva, holder of the Sofia Award, has a special message for the audience. We will also present the film from the Balkan Competition “The Flying Circus” by Kosovar director-scriptwriter Fatos Berisha. In this edition we present to you Chinese film director and singer Zuxin Hou and her film about her father, one of the first rock musicians in China – “My Dad Is a Rocker”.

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On this day, the esteemed Canadian director of Armenian origin Atom Egoyan is our Guest of Honour. The festival will present not only his latest feature “Guest of Honour”, part of the competition at the Venice Film Festival, but also two of his classics – “Exotica” and “The Sweet Hereafter”. In today’s festival program is a work by Slovenian director and very good friend friend, Damjan Kozole’s film “Half-Sister”. Damjan sent a special video message. And the main theme of the day is LETTER TO AMERICA - just read!

IMAGINE

On this imaginary Day 6 of the SIFF Diary we present to you the chairman of the international Documentary Jury, Vitaly Manskiy, one of the most significant documentary filmmakers in the world of cinema today; also a film from the International Competition, “Nocturnal” by Nathalie Biancheri. There was a special screening scheduled for “I Am Not Alone”, directed by Garin Hovannisian and produced by Alec Mouhibian. Alec sent us a special video.

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On the fifth day of our festival diary we present Mike Downey, introducing as it's producer the film “How to fake a war”, “Passengers” by Zdravko Dragnev and Tzvetan Dragnev from the Documentary Competition. In Day 5 there are also two Bulgarian debuts scheduled to screen – “Ashes Over Sun”, presented by the Kalinov Brothers and “Danny. Legend. God.”, presented personally by the director Yavor Petkov.

IMAGINE

One of the greatest friends of the Sofia Film Festival, the esteemed British director Tony Palmer addressed personally the festival, Sofia and Bulgaria. In this virtual edition you will learn more about two members of the International Jury: American producer Jim Stark and Mexican producer Nicolás Celis. Among the films of the day is the International Competition contestant “18% Gray” by Viktor Chouchkov Jr., the director’s debut of acclaimed actor Ivan Yurukov “Till the Final Caprice”, the German-Bulgarian co-production “Pelican Blood”, directed by Katrin Gebbe. We'll hear also an important message from Stephan Komandarev and remember the visit of Tony Palmer in Sofia in 2017.

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World famous director Wim Wenders sent a special video message yesterday, entitled: “Message to Kita and SOFIA!”. In today’s edition we will present two of the five members of our International Jury from the International Competition for First and Second Feature Films at the 24th SofiaIFF: British director Peter Webber and the Bulgarian actress Irmena Chichikova. The third festival day has a special person to celebrate - Anri Koulev. Among the films we present today are “How to Fake a War” by Rudolph Herzog, from the International competition, LUX-prize winner and participating in the Balkan Competition of the festival “God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunia” by Teona Mitevska and “Travelling Cinema” by Iliya Kostov, premiering in Sofia.

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On Friday, March 20th of 2020 - according to our programme of the 24th Sofia International Film Festival a big event was planned – The Awards Ceremony. It will happen someday. But instead in today’s issue of the special online edition of SIFF you will learn more about two feature films on the second day of the festival: the digitally restored version of the 3rd part of one of the greatest Bulgarian films – Georgi Dyulgerov’s “Measure for Measure”. The other “film of the day” is “Willow” by Oscar-nominated Macedonian director Milcho Manchevski.

IMAGINE

Everyday, or almost everyday, starting today, Thursday, first week of SIFF, we will present one or more films from the festival program, we will remember what happened on this day of the festival some time ago, we will share with you a greeting from a friend of SIFF and with a music video. We will try to move you, cheer you up, to take you on a journey by film – Here, There and Everywhere...

“I play to win, not for the sake of playing” - Stefan Kitanov - interview for "Iconomist" magazine

Stefan Kitanov, director and creator of the Sofia International Film Festival, interviewed by Violeta TSVETKOVA, about the postponed 24th Sofia Film Fest, due to the implementation of restrictive measures to counter the dissemination of coronavirus COVID-19 in Bulgaria. Published in "Iconomist" magazine | March 13, 2020

The 24th Sofia International Film Festival and the 17th Sofia Meetings postponed

Atom Egoyan – a special guest of the 24-th edition of Sofia International Film Festival!

The Films in the International Competition of 24-th Sofia Film Fest

An authoritative jury will evaluate 12 debut or second films by directors from all around the world to present on March 20 the Grand Prix "Sofia - City of Cinema" Award, provided by the Sofia Municipality

The FIPRESCI 94 Platinum Award will be handed over to Agnieszka Holland at the Sofia International Film Festival in March, 2020

Barbara Hollender about Agnieszka Holland

Agnieszka Holland will receive the special FIPRESCI 94 Platinum Award at 24th Sofia Film Fest

Agnieszka Holland was personally invited to receive the film critics’ award at the 24th Sofia International Film Fest by the general secretary of FIPRESCI Klaus Eder.

The new film by the master of documentary films Adela Peeva “Silence with Dignity” to premiere at the 24th Sofia Film Fest

“Silence with Dignity” is a story about the artistic hardships of one of the most successful filmmaking duos in Bulgarian cinema – the couple Irina Aktasheva and Hristo Piskov.

The New Bulgarian film “Petya of My Petya”, dedicated to the memory of Petya Dubarova, will open the 24th Sofia Film Fest on the 12th of March in Hall 1 in NDK

The film was named after the short story “Petya of My Petya” written by the exceptional young poet Petya Dubarova. The director Alexander Kossev and the writers Valentina Angelova and Nelly Dimitrova lift the vail of the past to present Petya Dubarova and her talent to today’s young generations

Martina Apostolova is one of the European Shooting Stars at Berlinale 2020

European Film Promotion proudly presents the ten best up-and-coming actresses and actors from Europe to the film industry, public and international press during during the 70th Berlin International Film Festival

„The Barefoot Emperor”'s entourage will be attending 24th Sofia Film Fest

Sofia Film Fest will be the FIRST festival in the world to screen the two films "King of the Belgians" and "The Barefoot Emperor" by Jessica Woodworth and Peter Brosens one after the other in March 2020

THIRST by Svetla Tsotsorkova and THIRTY by Simona Kostova - 2 Films out of 10 are directed by bulgarian directors and will be streamed by ArteKino from 1 st december!

Two films by Bulgarian directors - THIRST by Svetla Tsotsorkova and THIRTY by Simona Kostova - are in the streaming of 4th ArteKino Festival, launched in 2016 by ARTE and Festival Scope with the support of Europe Créative, from 1 to 31 December

Mira Staleva at the Europa Cinemas' panel "The Future of Independent Film in the Streaming Era"

The Managing director of Sofia International Film Festival MIRA STALEVA received a special invitation for participating in the panel "The Future of Independent Film in the Streaming Era". in the frames of 21st Europa Cinemas Conference, Lisbon 2019

„IRINA“ was nominated for Eurioean Oscars – European Film Awards for 2019!

European Film Academy and EFA Productions announced the nominations for European Discovery - Prix FIPRESCI category. We're extremely happy that the debut feature by Nadejda Koseva „IRINA“ is among the nominated features.

Started as a project at Sofia Meetings, Svetla Tsotsorkova's "SISTER" was awarded at the 67th San Sebastian Film Festival

"Sister" is Svetla Tsotsorkova's second feature film after her very successful debut feature "Thirst". At the 67th San Sebastian Film Festival, the film was honored with a Special mention in the "New Directors" program

„Kafka meets Monty Python“ or after „The Barefoot Emperor“’s world premiere at Toronto 2019

Jessica Woodworth and Peter Brosens’ film continues the story of one king’s journey through the Balkans – with charming Peter Van den Begin in the role of King of the Belgians and also the legendary Geraldine Chaplin and Udo Kier

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS > 24 Sofia Film Fest 2020

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. You are welcome to submit your films online via EVENTIVAL!

July STARTS with “CINEMA under the STARS” * Open-Air Cinema with Sofia Film Fest on the Road

Screenings in Pomorie, Sinemoretz and Kiten after sunset

TWO awards at FARA 2019 for the advertising campaign of 23-rd Sofia Film Fest "Make Cinema Not War" by guts&brainsDDB

Just hours ago at the first awarding ceremony advertising campaign of 23-rd Sofia Film Fest "Make Cinema Not War" by guts&brainsDDB received TWO prestigious awards

The Art House Cinema Award at Cannes '19 was presented to Bong Joon Ho's "PARASITE"

The Art House Cinema Award at Cannes '19 was presented to Bong Joon Ho's "PARASITE"

Film celebrities' Call-to-vote Manifesto encourages citizens to vote in the European elections

On May 21st at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, film celebrities backed the presentation of a manifesto to encourage citizens to vote in the European elections, which are about to take place in a few days' time, from 23-26 May, all across the member states of the European Union

The managing director of Sofia International Film Festival and Art Fest Mrs Mira Staleva is invited to be jury member in Cannes, for giving the Art Cinemas Prize

AFCAE (French Association of Art Cinemas) presents its award in the official selection for the first time in 2019

We are looking for CANDIDATES for YOUTH JURY in VENICE!

*28 TIMES CINEMA* invites 28 young European filmgoers (one participant per member state of the European Union) to attend the 2019 Venice Film Festival as Jury Members of the "Giornate degli Autori" selection!

Sean McAllister - about his latest film "A Northern Soul" and the art of making documentary movies

Sean McAllister is one of the bravest and the most respected contemporary documentarians. He was a special guest at the 23rd Sofia International Film Fest and presented his latest film "A Northern Soul" in Plovdiv following its screening in Sofia.

THE AWARDS 23rd SOFIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

IMPORTANT CHANGES IN THE PROGRAMME

The Documentary Competition of the Sofia Film Festival Brings Together Once Again Leading World Titles

Twelve Films Will Compete for the Domaine Boyar Award within the Balkan Competition of the 23rd Sofia Film Fest

Most of the titles in the 23rd Sofia Film Fest’s International Competition are confirmed – two of them are Bulgarian films

Lachezar Avramov’s “A Picture with Yuki” and Dragomir Sholev’s “The Pig” are the Bulgarian titles in the 23rd Sofia Film Fest’s International Competition. They will be competing for the Grand Prix “Sofia – City of Film” Prize, provided by Sofia Municipality. It will be awarded to a representative of the winning film on March 16 at the Awards Ceremony.

Tonislav Hristov's “The Magic Life of V” will have its European premiere at BERLINALE

Presented as a project at Sofia Meetings, the latest film by Tonislav Hristov "The Magic Life of V" will have its European premiere at BERLINALE in February 2019

"CAPERNAUM" on the Lebanese director Nadine Labaki, winner of the Jury Prize in Cannes - in the 23rd Sofia Film Fest's programme

Nadine Labaki's fourth project as a director was honored at Cannes 2018 with the special social responsibility award, with the Ecumenical Jury Award and the prestigious Jury Prize.

"THE WILD PEAR TREE" by Nuri Bilge Ceylan will be the closing film of the main 23rd Sofia Film Fest's programme

Nury Bilge Ceylan's eighth full-length film - "The Wild Pear Tree", co-production between Turkey, France, Germany, Bulgaria (RFF International), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Sweden, had its premiere in the main competition of Cannes 2018 and it was warmly accepted from audiences and critics. The international press was unanimous with the excitement from this "mesmerizing verbal fugue", created by "astonishingly complex spoken recitatives that weave philosophy, religious tradition, and ethics together". (Jay Weissberg, Variety)

The Palme d'Or'18 winner SHOPLIFTERS by Hirokazu Kore-eda - in the 23rd Sofia Film Fest's programme

With his latest film Hirokazu Kore-eda proved his exceptional mastery of a narrator and the Cannes' jury 2018 gave him the most prestigious award!

"WALKING ON WATER" by Andrey Paounov opens 23rd Sofia Film Fest on March 7, 2019 in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture!

With unprecedented intimacy and access to Christo Yavachev - Christo and his team, the film follows the process of realizing one of the largest art projects ever created.

SOFIA MEETING's project "The Magic Life of V" is in the documentary programme of SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

Presented as a project at Sofia Meetings, the latest film by Tonislav Hristov "The Magic Life of V" will have a world premiere at Sundance Film Festival as a part of the documentary competition!

5 DAYS to the deadline FOR SUBMISSIONS! 23rd Sofia International Film Festival

23rd Sofia International Film Festival 7th – 17th March 2019

The Bulgarian feature film "IRINA" by Nadejda Koseva won top awards in Tirana and Cottbus

SOFIA MEETINGS's project „BEGGAR“ will be presented at CROSSROADS Co-production Forum in Thessaloniki

CROSSROADS Co-production Forum (November 7-10) has selected 15 projects - among them is Nadejda Koseva's „BEGGAR“, presented at Sofia Meetings

„IRINA“ was presented with TWO awards at 34th WARSAW International Film Festival

Nadejda Koseva’s Debut Feature received Ecumenical Prize and Special Jury Award for the Actress Martina Apostolova

„IRINA“ was presented with THREE awards at 36th “Golden Rose” Bulgarian Feature Film Festival

Open calls for MIDPOINT Feature Launch, MIDPOINT TV Launch and MIDPOINT Shorts

MIDPOINT is a training and networking platform for script and project development operating under the auspices of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. The deadline for the three call for applications is September 21, 2018. You can find more info in the article.