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20 SELECTED BULGARIAN FILMS

It is difficult to make a list of only 20 Bulgarian films, that first premiered during SIFF or were presented as projects on Sofia Meetings, and were later screened there in front of festival directors. That is why we selected 40 feature films (20+20) from 2003 onwards, that gained an international recognition after Sofia International Film Festival, among which are all titles that won the Kodak Award for Bulgarian feature. We also enlist 20 shorts, among which are the Jameson Short Film Award winners. 20 + 20 selected Bulgarian feature films Under the Same Sky, dir. Krasimir Krumov, Kodak Award 2003 Mila from Mars, dir. Zornitsa Sophia, Kodak Award 2004 George and the Butterflies, dir. Andrey Paounov, 2004 Stolen Eyes, dir. Radoslav Spasov, Kodak Award 2005 Lost and Found, omnibus, dir. of the short film The Ritual – Nadezhda Koseva, 2005 Lady Zee, dir. Georgi Djulgerov, Kodak Award 2006 Christmass Tree Upside Down, dir. Ivan Cherkelov, 2006 Investigation, dir. Igrlika Trifonova, Kodak Award 2007 Warden of the Dead, dir. Ilian Simeonov, 2006 The Mosquito Problem and Other Stories, dir. Andrey Paounov, 2007 Monkeys in Winter, dir. Milena Andonova, 2007 Seamstresses, dir. Lydmil Todorov, 2008 The World is Big and Salvation Lurks around the Corner, dir. Stephan Komandarev, Kodak Award 2008 Zift, dir. Yavor Gardev, 2008, Kodak Award 2009 Forecast, dir. Zornitsa Sophia, 2008 Hindemith, dir. Andrey Slabakov, 2008 Corridor №8, dir. Boris Despodov, 2008 Whose is This Song?, dir. Adela Peeva, 2003 Eastern Plays, dir. Kamen Kalev, 2009, Kodak Award 2010 Mission London, dir. Dimitar Mitovski, 2010 Crayfish, dir. Ivan Cherkelov, 2010 Voice Over, dir. Svetoslav Ovcharov, 2010 Europolis: The Town of the Delta, dir. Kostadin Bonev, 2010 Love.Net, dir. Ilian Djevelekov, 2011 N 1, dir. Atanas Hristoskov, 2011 Tilt, dir. Viktor Chouchkov Jr., 2011 Shelter, dir. Dragomir Sholev, Kodak Award 2011 Lora from Morning till Evening, dir. Dimitar Kotzev-Shosho 2011 Ave, dir. Konstantin Bojanov, 2011, Kodak Award 2012 The Island, dir. Kamen Kalev, 2011 Footsteps in the Sand, dir. Ivaylo Hristov, 2011 My Mate Manchester United, dir. Stefan Valdobrev, 2011 Sneakers, dir. Valeri Yordanov, Ivan Vladimirov, 2011 Faith, Love and Whiskey, dir. Kristina Nikolova, 2012 July, dir. Kiril Stankov, 2012 Sofia's Last Ambulance, dir. Iliyan Metev, 2012 The Boy Who Was a King, dir. Andrey Paounov, 2012 Stoichkov, dir. Borislav Kolev, 2012 The Colour of the Chameleon, dir. Emil Hristov, 2012 20 Bulgarian Shorts Yellow, dir. Ivan Rusev, Jameson Award 2003 Life With Sofia, dir. Svetla Tsotsorkova, Jameson Award 2004 Before Life, After Death, dir. Dragomir Sholev, Jameson Award 2005 Black on White, dir. Andrey Tzvetkov, Jameson Award 2006 The Minutes After, dir. Nikolay Todorov, Jameson Award 2007 Waltzes and Tangos from the village of Bela Voda, dir. Ivan Vladimirov, 2007 The Air Ace, dir. Svilen Dimitrov, 2007 Family Therapy, dir. Petar Valchanov, Jameson Award 2008 Family Portrait, dir. Dimitar Sardjev, 2008 Goleshovo, dir. Ilian Metev, 2008 Omelette, dir. Nadezhda Koseva, 2008 At Noon, dir. Toma Vasharov, 2008 Three Sisters and Andrey, dir. Boris Despodov and Andrey Paounov, Jameson Award 2009 Tails, dir. Nikolai Vasilev, Jameson Award 2010 Anna Blume, dir. Vesela Dancheva, 2010 Shoping, dir. Dimitar Kotzev-Shosho, 2010 Trains, dir. Pavel Vesnakov, Jameson Award 2011 Second Take, dir. Nadezhda Koseva, 2011 Morning, dir. Neda Morfova, награда Jameson 2012 Father, dir. Ivan Bogdanov and Compote Collective, 2012
FROM SIFF November 24 2026

20 + 20 + 20 WORLD CINEMA DISCOVERIES

It is just an impossible task to present only 20 young directors who were guests at Sofia International Film Festival. Especially after introducing the International competition for first and second feature film our festival started to draw attention as desirable destination for great number of first time directors and many of them became well known contemporary authors. And so that's why we choose 60: Alvaro Brechner Aleksei German Jr. Alexei Muradov Angelina Nikonova Andrzej Jakimowski Anna Melikian Babak Payami Catalin Mitulescu Cristi Puiu Cristian Mungiu David Lanzmann Dalibor Matanic Damian Kozole Darko Lungulov David Mackenzie Denis Cote Dom Rotheroe Dusan Milic Eran Kolirin George Ovashvili Guka Omarova Hanna Slak Hueseyin Karabey Ilya Khrzhanovski Jan Cvitkovic Janez Burger Jasmila Zbanic Kakha Kikabidze Kornél Mundruczó Lenny Abrahamson Mait Laas Malgorzata Szumowska Manijeh Hekmat Marion Laine Michael Di Jiacomo Milutin Petrovic Miroslav Momčilović Ognjen Sviličić Ozcan Alper Pawel Pawlikowski Petr Zelenka Radivoje Andric Razvan Radulescu Samuel Maoz Semih Kaplanoglu Sergej Stanojkovski Siegfried Srdan Golubovic Srdjan Vuletic Srdjan Kolevic Stefan Arsenievic Svetozar Ristovski Tudor Giurgiu Uni Straume Veit Helmer Victor Ginzburg Vinko Moderndorfer Vladimir Blaževski Yesim Ustaoglu Zeki Demirkubuz
FROM SIFF November 24 2026

20 OF KITA'S FAVORITE SONGS

Music is not only recharging me and creating an atmosphere, but it also provides me with a rhythm, especially when I drive - I cannot sit even for a minute behind the wheel without turning on my favorite iPod. One of my favorite experiences with iPod was at the Valley of Death, California. We needed only Pink Floyd's music in this incredible moon-like place. Off course, we were thoughtful enough ti have brought it with us. Here are 20 songs 100% Kita: Boliviana – Ibrahim Ferrer The Dangling Conversation – Simon and Garfunkel Strangest Tribe – Pearl Jam The Lee Shore – Crosby, Stills and Nash Other Side – Red Hot Chili Peppers Karma Police - Radiohead Famous Blue Raincoat – Leonard Cohen Paris, Texas – Ry Cooder Little Wing – Jimi Hendrix Blood of Eden – Peter Gabriel It’s All Right, Ma – Bob Dylan Little Waltz – Basia Bulat A Case of You – Joni Mitchell The Horse with No Name – America White Horses – The Rolling Stones Love – John Lennon Perfect Day – Lou Reed A La Vo – Etta Scollo Golden Slumbers – The Beatles The Koln Concert – II with Keith Jarrett
FROM SIFF November 24 2026

20 + 20 WORLD CINEMA MASTERS

We wanted to name 20 world famous directors who attended Sofia International Film Festival throughout the years, but it turned out to be impossible to make such a short list, so that is why we chose 40. Alexander Mindadze Alan Parker Andrzej Zulawski Andrey Konchalovsky Agnes Varda Bahtiar Hudoinazarov Bent Hamer Wim Wenders Goran Markovic Goran Paskaljevic Danis Tanovic Jafar Panahi Jerry Schatzberg Giuliano Montaldo Еmir Kusturiza Jiri Menzel Jos Stelling Karen Shahnazarov Krzysztof Zanussi Lech Kowalski Lone Scherfig Michael Wadleigh Mika Kaurismaki Milcho Manchevski Nikita Mikhalkov Nuri Bilge Ceylan Otar Iosseliani Peter Greenaway Roman Balayan Sergei Solovyov Srdjan Dragojevic Srdjan Karanovic Terry Jones Tony Palmer Volker Schlondorf Fridrik Thor Fridriksson Hugh Hudson Jan Sverak Jan Troel\ Janos Szasz
FROM SIFF November 24 2026

20 SELECTED EVENTS

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
FROM SIFF November 24 2026

20 SELECTED WORLD FILMS

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
FROM SIFF November 24 2026

20 QUESTIONS FOR KITA

FROM SIFF November 24 2026

Kita 20

FROM SIFF November 24 2026

Sofia Award

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)
FROM SIFF October 16 2026
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