The British Embassy in Sofia announced in its official press release that His Majesty King Charles III has appointed honorary award to the founder and director of Sofia International Film Festival for his significant contribution to promotion of UK film in Bulgaria
In the 30th year since the beginning of the first Rock Film Festival in 1993 in Sofia and all the initiatives of the Cinema House, initiated by Stefan Kitanov's desire to present the best films made in the endless world of cinema, the special news were announced about the recognition he receives for its long-standing activity – the British Embassy in Sofia officially announced His Majesty King Charles III’s decision – Stefan Kitanov, founder and director of Sofia International Film Festival is appointed as honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to UK film in Bulgaria.
The beginning was in the last decade of the 20th century. In 1993 and 1994, in partnership with the British Council, the two emblematic festivals of cinema and music Rock Film Festivals were held in Sofia. In 1996, with the support of the British Council, Stefan Kitanov presented for the first time in Bulgaria a complete retrospective of Monty Python's films to the Bulgarian public. This special festival - and its most important guest, Terry Jones, was one of the reasons for the organization of other festivals, in which the emphasis was again on British cinema, and the accumulated experience led to the organization of the Sofia International Film Festival, which today is one of the most important cultural events in Bulgaria, as well as one of the key film festivals in Central and Eastern Europe. The Sofia Film Festival continues to showcase British film, including the British Council’s “Five Films for Freedom” initiative. In 2014 Sofia was awarded UNESCO City of Film status largely thanks to the reputation of this annual event.
His Excellency British Ambassador to Bulgaria, Dr Rob Dixon said:
I am delighted His Majesty has seen fit to recognise the service done by Mr Kitanov over thirty years to promote British film in Bulgaria. As the founder of the Sofia Film Festival in 1997, after the great success of the Rock Film Festivals in 1993 and 1994 and also the festival of Monty Python in 1996, organized with the support of the British Council, Mr Kitanov has played a significant role in fostering cultural ties between the UK and Bulgaria and bringing great British film to a Bulgarian audience.
Mr Stefan Kitanov MBE said:
My work with the British Council in Sofia, as well as my 7-month stay in the UK in 1993 and 1994 thanks to the British Council scholarship, are the basis of everything I have been able to achieve since 1992. This award – Honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an outstanding recognition of the results achieved by myself and the team I have worked with over the past 30 years. I am proud and extremely grateful for this recognition!
I use the opportunity to personally thank King Charles III for the high honor, as well as to invite him during his next visit to Bulgaria to plant a tree in the symbolic Sofia Film Festival’s forest next to the tree, planted by the daughter of the greatest Briton in the world of cinema – Charles Chaplin.
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The Order of the British Empire is awarded for outstanding services to society and service which stands out as an example to others.
The Order of the British Empire recognizes outstanding merit and achievement in the arts and sciences, for contributions to society outside the civil service, and for work with various charities and organizations aimed at improving human welfare.
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order is composed of five classes in civil and military divisions. In descending order of seniority, these are:
Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE)
Knight Commander or Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE or DBE)
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Today, the Order of the British Empire is a knighthood of British democracy. The only criterion for its award is a valuable contribution in a wide range of fields. Nationals of other countries can also be awarded an honorary degree for services to the United Kingdom and the British people. Today, the Order of the British Empire has over 100,000 members worldwide.
The Order's official chapel is located in St. Paul's Cathedral. The Order's motto is “For God and the Empire”.