23rd SOFIA MEETINGS 2026 * 18 - 22 March 2026
Sofia Meetings is a leading co-production market held within the framework of the Sofia International Film Festival, recognized as one of the most important audiovisual events in South-Eastern Europe. The event plays a proactive role in structuring the regional audiovisual industry and developing a sustainable, inclusive, and representative ecosystem, ensuring that emerging talents and professionals from low-production-capacity (LPC) countries gain meaningful access to European and international markets.
The programme includes four pitching sessions for feature films by emerging directors, TV series project pitchings, cross-media projects (XR), Works in Progress presentations, and Industry Screenings, providing projects with both visibility, financing, circulation and concrete development and co-production opportunities. Beyond these core modules, Sofia Meetings offers a comprehensive professional programme with industry discussions, workshops, a Transmedia/VR hub, book-related initiatives, tailored consultations, and exposure to innovations, new business models, and sustainability practices. By combining structured formats with hands-on guidance, mentoring, and curated matchmaking, the event actively strengthens the audiovisual ecosystem in the region, promoting cross-border collaboration and equitable opportunities.
Participants, including producers, directors, and creative teams, are selected for their professional potential, commitment to their projects, and readiness to actively engage in co-production, distribution, and networking opportunities. This approach ensures a balanced, diverse, and high-potential lineup, fostering meaningful connections, professional development, and successful entry into EU and international markets. Sofia Meetings takes risks on emerging filmmakers because they are the ones who need support the most. Cristi Puiu, Radu Jude, Lili Horvát, Konstantin Bojanov, Levan Koguashvili, Tom Shoval, Valentyn Vasyanovych, Nicos Labut, Andrea Pallaoro, Agnieszka Smoczynska, Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović, Adrian Sitaru, Babak Jalali, Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson, Cristian Mungiu, Petar Valchanov and Kristina Grozeva, Ilian Metev, Kamen Kalev, Ralitza Petrova, Dea Kulumbegashvili, Álvaro Brechner and many others all presented their works at Sofia Meetings. For many of them, it was a crucial step in their career.
