Kita 20 - page 7

Haitian director Raoul Peck has an impressive filmography, dominated by works with political themes focusing on various social and historical issues concerning the struggle for independence and equality of emblematic figures from different races and continents. His family fled the dictatorship in Haiti, and Peck studied in Kinshasa (DR Congo), New York, and Orleans (France) before beginning his studies at Humboldt University in Berlin. His film "I'm Not Your Negro," dedicated to civil rights activist James Baldwin, won the People's Choice Award for Documentary Film in Toronto, two awards at the Berlinale, the BAFTA and César Awards for Documentary Film, and was nominated for an Oscar. His latest work is dedicated to the work of George Orwell and his remarkable novel " 1984 ," with a special emphasis on conclusions about political reality that are still sadly relevant today with the rise of authoritarianism in various parts of the world. " Orwell: 2+2 = 5 " was nominated for the Golden Eye Award, presented in Cannes for best documentary film. Here is what the author shares about Orwell, who inspired his new film: " His name has become an emblematic adjective – 'Orwellian' – denoting authoritarian mechanisms and changing aspects of our modern world: surveillance, censorship, political corruption, fake news, class struggles, the temptations of power, algorithms, drones, constant wars, distraction as an obvious way to underestimate and ignore repression in the modern world. His literary phrases and ideas are everywhere in new versions or in their original forms: "Big Brother," "thought police," "memory hole," "incivility," "thought crime," and so on. He is all around us. And today, in times of uncertainty, is the right moment to contrast myth with reality, in light of the clear and present danger in which 2+2 definitely equals 5. " * * * Tarik Saleh is a well-known author in the world of cinema – the premiere of his feature debut "Metropia" was part of the Venice Film Festival program in 2009, and after the first part of his Cairo Trilogy – "The Nile Hilton Incident" – won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, the sequels " Boy from Heaven " (2022, winner of the Best Screenplay award) and " Eagles of the Republic " (2025) were presented in the competition program at Cannes. In Saleh's latest work, the tradition is upheld – actor Fares Fares plays one of the leading roles, and the genre is once again a thriller, full of tension, exposing the peculiarities of society, religion, and power in the country. The plot revolves around the complex relationships between politicians and extremely popular figures – an actor and his colleagues, who are blackmailed into participating in anti-government conspiracies. Under the threat of losing everything valuable in his life, the most beloved actor in the country is forced to accept an offer that will lead to unpredictable consequences and twists in the plot. A skilled storyteller and defender of justice in his ancestors' homeland, Saleh has devoted nearly a decade to his trilogy, which exposes religious fanaticism, political machinations, and the quest for total power over the inevitable changes in society. * * * We're WAITING for you at the #CINEMA! #30SofiaIFF

Mira Staleva, Executive Director of Sofia Film Fest and Head of Sofia Meetings, has been re-elected as a member of the EFA Board This Saturday, the European Film Awards will be presented for the 38th time. Among the nominated films are some of the most important works of the past year, premiered at prestigious film forums around the world. The festive ceremony for the presentation of the most prestigious awards for European cinema will take place on January 17 in Berlin, organized by the European Film Academy and European Film Academy Productions. For the fifth consecutive year, the EFA board includes a representative of the Bulgarian film community – Mira Staleva , executive director of Sofia Film Festival and head of Sofia Meetings. Her re-election to the board of the European Film Academy reaffirms the international recognition of the importance and prestige of the Sofia Film Festival and Sofia Meetings by European film organizations. SIFF is the only Bulgarian film festival accredited by FIAPF, and festival director Stefan Kitanov has been among the experts advising the EFA on nominations for the European Film Awards for over 10 years. The EFA awards ceremony honors the achievements of European cinema and welcomes special guests and representatives of the European Film Academy. The Bulgarian audience can be part of the celebration by watching the ceremony LIVE on the Sofia Film Festival's website on Saturday, January 17, starting at 7:00 p.m. Liv Ullmann will be honored with an award for her outstanding achievements throughout her long creative career. The great actress will be a guest of honor at the 38th ceremony in Berlin, the capital of Germany, where the European Film Academy is based. The award for European contribution to world cinema will be presented to director Alice Rohrwacher . The event will be broadcast live on www.europeanfilmawards.eu and www.siff.bg. The European Film Academy was created on the initiative of a group of 40 of Europe's most influential filmmakers, who gathered in November 1988 for the first European Film Awards ceremony. The Academy was founded in 1989, with Ingmar Bergman as its first president. He was followed by Wim Wenders, who served as president for many years, and the current president is actress Juliette Binoche. The EFA supports and connects its 5,400 members, paying close attention to their work, promoting it and educating audiences of all ages. Detailed information about the nominations in the various categories can be found at www.europeanfilmawards.eu.

The second feature film by German screenwriter and director Mascha Schillinski , " The Sound of Falling " ( The Sound Of Falling ) received one of the most prestigious awards in May 2025 – the Jury Prize at Cannes – and was included in the shortlist for the international Oscar as Germany's nominee. The story is dedicated to four girls – Alma (from the 1910s), Erika (in the 1940s), Angelika (from the 1980s) and Lenka (in the 2020s), who spend their youth in different eras but on the same farm in northern Germany. As the house evolves and changes over more than 100 years, echoes of the past remain within its walls. Although separated in time, the girls' destinies reflect each other and reveal unexpected details that have been kept secret. * * * The award for best screenplay and the Ecumenical Jury Prize at Cannes '25 were presented to the legendary brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for their latest film, " Young Mothers ". Through an almost documentary-like narrative, the experienced Darden brothers introduce the audience to the problems and struggles of five teenage girls living in a shelter for young mothers, who hope for a better life for themselves and their babies. Here is what David Rooney writes for The Hollywood Reporter: " There is not a false note in the young actors' performances, and they all participate in genuinely touching scenes. Young Mothers is captivating even when the focus is on the daily responsibilities of parenthood – feeding, changing diapers, bathing – or when it captures the wonder and joy of a mother gazing at the tiny face of the child she has created ." Greeted with ovations in Cannes, the Dardenne brothers' new film will be a special highlight in the program of the 30th anniversary Sofia Film Fest in March. * * * We're WAITING for you at the #CINEMA! #30SofiaIFF

On January 6, Epiphany (Theophany), filming began on “ Cold ”, a new feature film co-produced between Bulgaria and Italy. “Cold” is the debut for director Ana Kitanova , screenwriter Iliana Kitanova, and cinematographer Angel Balakchiyiski. The screenplay is based on stories from “A Fiery Dance” (“Ogneno Horo”), an unpublished book by Bone Rusinov. “ Cold ” follows the stories of the residents of a small boarder village in the Trun region in Bulgaria. They were recorded over a period of three decades at the end of the 20th century by Daskal Yordan, the local teacher who found himself rejected by society. The collection includes stories of dancing among wolves, love and loneliness, the Bulgarian folk boogeymen or karakondjuli, and humanity. Will they survive when the snow melts and the village falls silent? The cast consists of leading actors: Ivan Barnev, Ivana Papazova, and Alexander Triffonov. Other actors include Krasimir Dokov, Alek Alexiev, Yana Titova, Ivan Savov, Dobrin Dosev, Vladimir Mihaylov, Alen Kermac, Jordan Russin, Anna Manolova, Ljubov Ljubcheva, Andrian Petrov and Jordan Bikov. Special appearences make Georgi Todorov-Jozi, Kiriakos Argiropoulos and the folk singer Lilly Galevska. The musical score is to be composed by Stefan Valdobrev, and the production designer is Ivelina Mineva. The consultant on the authentic Tran dialect, in which the film is shot, is Zhana Solarova. The production manager is Rosen Ignatov. The film is a coproduction of RFF International, Bulgaria (Stefan Kitanov), and Pilgrim, Italy (Andrea Magnani and Chiara Barbo). “ Cold ” is made with the support of the National Film Centre (Bulgaria), the Ministry of Culture and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Fund (Italy), as well as the Creative Europe MEDIA programme of the European Union, in partnership with Dolly Media Studio and Magic Shop (Bulgaria). Filming will continue until mid-February in the picturesque villages in the Smolyan and Rudozem areas, as well as in the vicinity of Sofia.

The Sofia Award for outstanding contribution in cinema is a joint initiative of Sofia Municipality and Sofia International Film Festival . The award was first handed out in 2005 by the Mayor of Sofia under whose patronage the festival takes place. Since then, 72 individuals from Bulgarian and international cinema were honored with the prestigious award. Peter Greenaway , director (UK) Rangel Valchanov , director (Bulgaria) Volker Schlondorf , director (Germany) Terry Jones , director (UK) Sir Alan Parker , director (UK) Nikolay Volev , director (Bulgaria) Vanessa Redgrave , actress (UK) Theo Angelopoulos , director (Greece) Lyudmil Staykov , director (Bulgaria) Wim Wenders , director (Germany) Jiří Menzel , director (Czech Republic) Vladislav Ikonomov , director (Bulgaria) Nikita Mikhalkov , director/actor/scriptwriter (Russia) Milcho Leviev , composer (Bulgaria, USA) Jean-Claude Carrière , scriptwriter (France) Miki Manojlvic , actor (Serbia) Nikola Korabov , director (Bulgaria) Michael Palin , actor, scriptwriter and TV presenter (UK) Bozhidar Petkov , composer (Bulgaria) Giuliano Montaldo , director (Italy) Tony Palmer , director (UK) Jan Troell , director (Sweden) Sergei Solovyov , director (Russia) Otar Iossealiani , director (Georgia, France) Rousy Chanev , actor, screenwriter (Bulgaria) Claudia Cardinale , actress (Italy) Claude Lelouch , director (France) Nuri Bilge Ceylan , director (Turkey) Gueorgui Stoyanov , director (Bulgaria) Danis Tanović , director (Bosna and Herzegovina) Hugh Hudson , director (UK) Itzhak Finzi , actor (Bulgaria) Costa Gavras , director (France) Paolo and Vittorio Taviani , directors (Italy) Jos Stelling , director (Netherlands) Dusan Hanak , director (Slovakia) Prof. Georgi Djulgerov , director (Bulgaria) Goran Paskaljevic , director (UK) Ivan Ivanov , actor (Bulgaria) Franco Nero , actor (Italy) In Memoriam KARL ‘BAUMI’ BAUMGARTNER Nana Djordjadze , director (Georgia) Ted Kotcheff , director (Canada, Bulgaria) Georgi Stoev - Jecky, director (Bulgaria) Georgi Penkov - Johny, sound engineer (Bulgaria) Hristo Iliev - Charli, screenwriter (Bulgaria) Bela Tarr , director (Hungary) Terry Gilliam , director (USA, Great Britain) Stoyanka Mutafova , actress (Bulgaria) John Savage , actor (USA) Agnieszka Holland , director (Полша) Adela Peeva , director (Bulgaria) Vasil Mihaylov , actor (Bulgaria) Abel Ferrara , director (USA) Roman Balayan , director (Ukraine) Krzysztof Zanussi , director (Poland) Bille August , director (Denmark) Kiril Marichkov , musician and composer (Bulgaria) Anri Koulev , animator and director (Bulgaria) Theodosii Spassov , musician and composer (Bulgaria) Mika Kaurismäki , director (Finland) Jafar Panahi , director (Iran) Angel Wagenstein , screenwriter and writer (Bulgaria) Iglika Trifonova , director (Bulgaria) Radoslav Spassov , cinematographer, director, writer, producer (Bulgaria) Geraldine Chaplin , actress (USA) Margarethe von Trotta , director and actress (Germany) Georgi Todorov-Jozi , artist (Bulgaria) Tzvetana Maneva , actress (Bulgaria) Iossif Sarchadzhiev , director and actor (Bulgaria) Rajko Grlić , director (Croatia)

Over the past years, more than 3,000 films have been shown at the Sofia Film Festival. Some of them left a lasting impression on many of the festival’s viewers. For me, these are: Woodstock (Director’s Cut) — Michael Wadleigh Trainspotting — Danny Boyle Buena Vista Social Club — Wim Wenders Breaking the Waves — Lars von Trier Italian for Beginners — Lone Scherfig No Man’s Land — Danis Tanović Kandahar — Mohsen Makhmalbaf The Circle — Jafar Panahi The Man Without a Past — Aki Kaurismäki Zatoichi — Takeshi Kitano When I Grow Up, I’ll Be a Kangaroo — Radivoje Andrić I Served the King of England — Jiří Menzel 3-Iron — Kim Ki-duk The Lives of Others — Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck The White Ribbon — Michael Haneke Lebanon — Samuel Maoz Pina — Wim Wenders Honey — Semih Kaplanoglu Once Upon a Time in Anatolia — Nuri Bilge Ceylan The Turin Horse — Béla Tarr

20 selected events, organized by Stefan Kitanov and the Cinema House's team in the 90s and by Kita and Art Fest's team from 2001 onwards World cinema at the end of the summer – cinema panorama with 33 films, 16 premieres – co-organized with Sofia Municipality, August 1992 Rock Film Fest (І and ІІ) – guests Mitch Mitchel, Peter Neal, Patric Humphries, Tony Palmer - co-organized with British Council – 1993, 1994 Meetings at the Cinema House - with Mihail Ulianov (1993), Krzysztof Zanussi (1993 and 1998), Marina Tarkovska (1993), Andrey Konchalovsky (1995), Gerard Corbiau (1995), Rolan Bikov (1996), Jose Giovanni (1996), Jiri Menzel (1998), Regis Varnier (1998), Sandrine Bonnaire (1998), Jean Rouch (1998) Weeks of the contemporary Russian, Polish, Czech, French, British, German, American, Georgian, Swiss, Belgian, Chinese, etc. cinema, 1992-1999 The Czech New Wave (І and ІІ) - guest Jaromil Jires, co-organized with the Czech Cultural Institute, 1996, 1997 Monty Python Fest - guest Terry Jones, co-organized with British Council, 1996 Festival of the Ethnographic film – guests prof. Assen Baliksi, Sebastian Eschenbah, Patric Prado, Jean Arlo, Patric Manger, Dr. Rolf Hussmann, Jorg Vitte, co-organized with Goethe-institut and the Cultural Department at the Embassy of France – 1996 Wim Wenders photo exhibition – co-organized with Goethe-institut, 1997 Music Film Fest – 1997, 1998 Eurounderground – traveling festival for underground, independent and experimental films, guest Mark Siska, 1997 and 1998 British cinema of the 90s and British Film Festival – guest Michael Nyman, co-organized with British Council, 1998, 1999, 2000 Traveling Festival of the French Cinema – 12 films in 17 cities, co-organized with Institute Francais, 1999 Sofia Music & Film Fest – 1999, 2000 Concert 30 years Woodstock - 1999 Sofia International Film Festival – 12 editions since 2001 Sofia Film Fest on the Coast – 10 editions since 2003 Sofia Meetings – 9 editions since 2004 Sofia Film Fest in Plovdiv – 7 editions since 2006 Sofia Film Fest for Students – a discussion club in the Cinema House, 9 editions since 2009 Sofia Film Fest on the Road / Operation Kino – travelling festival in different Bulgarian cities: Ruse, Stara Zagora, Varna, Blagoevgrad, Gabrovo, Sliven, Kozlodui, Sozopol, Veliko Tarnovo, Dobrich, Targovishte, Kazanlak, Pomorie, Lozenetz, since 2010