It’s a wrap! 23rd Sofia Meetings ! In its 2026 edition of the professional forum Sofia Meetings presents for the first time the new ARTEKINO INTERNATIONAL AWARD - a cash prize of € 5,000 for a producer of an exceptional project, provided by the foundation of the European cultural channel ARTE in support of auteur cinema. Jury quote : For the evocative power of its intimate journey between a father and his son, the ARTE Kino Prize is awarded to FATHERS, director Martin Iliev, producer Angel Ivanov / Handplayed (Bulgaria). PRODUCERS NETWORK (CANNES MARKET) AWARD – accreditation for Producers Network at Cannes Market. Jury quote : For the strength of this childhood narrative and the hope it so powerfully brings to life, the Producers Network Prize is awarded to THE LAST GAME, director Andrei Redinciuc, producers Bogdan Crăciun, Eliza Ceprăzaru / Point Film (Romania). DOLI MEDIA STUDIO Award – The prize of €20,000 in production and post-production services covers a broad range of filmmaking needs, from on-set production support to editorial, colour grading, and sound post-production. They have been a key industry partner at Sofia Meetings for several years. Jury quote : For the richness of its imagination and the originality of its artistic vision, the Doli Media Prize is awarded to GIGA MAKES THE SEA, director Strahinja Savić, producer Andrija Lucić / Ground (Serbia), Filip Poleksic / Fourth Wall Production (Montenegro). CINELAB ROMANIA AWARD – post-production lab services equal to €15,000. The award consists of €15 000 (price list) on lab services analogue such as: processing film negative color 16 mm or 35 mm, dailies HD Flat, Upload Mediashuttle, post production as scan 2K or 4K, etc. Jury quote : For the tenderness of an improbable bond which heals three solitudes, the CINELab Romania Award goes to THE POT, THE LID AND THE NURSE, director Vardan Tozija, producer Ivana Shekutkoska / Minimal Collective (North Macedonia). GREY PIGEON STUDIOS Award - The prize includes 10 full production days at Grey Pigeon Studios, with full access to the studio facilities, aimed at supporting first-time filmmakers in realizing a bold and production-ready cinematic vision. Jury quote : A real studio for a false story, the Grey pigeons studio award goes to the Documentary SPY PASSIONS, director Roman Pessarov, producers Noura Al Kadri / Hot Potato, Roman Pessarov / PLONJ (Bulgaria). TBD: YOUNG PRODUCER AWARD – YAPIMLAB - invites one producer for a week of project consultancy in Istanbul. It covers travel and accommodation to facilitate networking opportunities within the Turkish industry (valued at € 5,000). From Zeynep Atakan AGORA NETWORKING AWARD – This consists of two AGORA accreditations for Crossroads Co-production forum of the Thessaloniki IFF. Jury quote : For its bold proposition and its sharply contrasting sense of humour, the AGORA Networking Award goes to IN THOSE DARKEST NIGHTS, director Gozde Kural, producers Gözde Kural, Bulut Reyhanoğlu / Toz Film Production (Turkey), Svetla Tsotsorkova / Front Film (Bulgaria). EVA BG Award – Industry Accreditation for Karlovy Vary IFF, presented to the best project produced by a female filmmaker. Jury quote : The EWA Bulgaria Award goes to a young female director who explores the path of a new beginning in a woman’s life. The project is PLACEHOLDER, director Višnja Sretenović, producer Biljana Prvanović / Delirium Films (Serbia, Germany, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia). TBD: ELBUR FILM AWARD – €800 in cash and shooting equipment equal to €6,000. From Dimitar Gochev TBD: HerARTS FILM LAB – 40% discount for a week-long residential development workshop, set in Paestum, Italy, focused on content created by women and non-binary filmmakers. From Eliza Subotowicz, director of HerARTS A huge thank you to all the participants – we hope to see your projects premiere soon on Sofia International Film Festival!

IMMERSIVE PROGRAMME AT VIDENIE SPACE AT 23rd SOFIA MEETING Date: March 18-22, 2026 Time: 12.00 - 15.00 / 19.00 - 21.00 (GMT +2) Get your tickets online at VIDENIE immersive space . Location: VIDENIE Immersive space | Kuzman Shapkarev St 9B, Sofia Sofia Meetings has been a pioneer in introducing VR and XR to Sofia’s cultural and film landscape. Building on this commitment to new forms of storytelling, we are partnering with VIDENIE Immersive Space for Digital Art to create an immersive space dedicated to exploring the future of cinema. Step into immersive worlds from 18 to 22 March , between 12:00–15:00 and 19:00–21:00. Experience the curated selection of works exploring the evolving language of VR and XR in contemporary storytelling. “ITO MEIKYŪ” by Boris Labbé France, Luxembourg | 2024 | 15 min Interior and exterior, transparency and opacity, exhibitionism and voyeurism, feminine and masculine—all these notions collide and merge in the endless cycle of a labyrinth with no exit. Life unfolds like a loom whose living weft is woven from a myriad of branching threads and paths. “MAMIE LOU” by Isabelle Andreani France, Luxembourg | 2024 | 25 min "Immersed in the world of the spirits of the ancestors, you are appointed, with two other guides, to accompany Nana Lou on her last journey. On the day her granddaughter Clémentine gives birth in a maternity hospital in Tokyo, Nana Lou has a stroke at home in France. She finds herself at the hospital, stranded between life and death... By your luminous presence at her side, you help her revisit her memories and pass away in peace." “THE ART OF CHANGE” by Simone Fougnier and Vincent Rooijers Italy, The Netherlands, USA | 10 min "Through a unique tapestry of voice memos, music, and breathtaking VR animation, The Art of Change is an immersive audio-visual experience exploring a woman’s dialogue with her past, present, and future selves. Journey through time and space as vivid environments—both familiar and abstract—unfold in a groundbreaking celebration of life’s transformative moments."

“VISIBILITY OF BULGARIAN TALENT” SOFIA MEETINGS & Filmmakers Europe We invite you to apply for an exclusive casting workshop for professional actors that are from Bulgaria or based in Bulgaria that are interested in international film productions. The workshop will be held with the Casting Directors: Constance Demontoy is a Paris‑based French casting director whose work spans international cinema and television. Her credits include Elle (2016, dir. Paul Verhoeven), Titane (2021, dir. Julia Ducournau), Annette (2021, dir. Leos Carax), and Io Capitano (2023, dir. Matteo Garrone), as well as films by Denis Villeneuve, Cédric Klapisch, and Jean‑Marc Vallée. She has contributed to over 150 projects and is a member of international casting associations. Her work has been recognised with multiple awards, including Artios Awards for Call My Agent! and Monsieur Spade , and the Semiramis Award for Io Capitano . Gaby Whyte Hart is a UK/US casting director with 15+ years in film and a track record of attaching recognizable talent to independent and studio-backed projects. Trained in London (NYFA at King’s University, MA Producing for the Screen), she pairs creative instincts with strong deal-and-relationship fluency across the UK and US markets. Her recent casting credits include Dirty Angels , directed by Martin Campbell, featuring Eva Green, Maria Bakalova, Ruby Rose, and Rona‑Lee Shimon and George Iskandar (Fauda). She has worked with talent including Toby Kebbell and Nicolas Cage. Mariana Stanisheva graduated the Academy of Theater and Film Art in Sofia, Bulgaria and hold a Masters degree in acting. Since then, she has acted in theater and films in Bulgaria and abroad. Since 2003, she has worked as a Casting Director on more than 160 international films, with some of the greatest names in the industry - Bruce Beresford, Brian de Palma, Mimi Leder, Martin Campbell and many more. ABOUT THE WORKSHOP A limited number of participants will be selected by the casting directors from all applicants. Constance, Gaby and Mariana will share their experience and showcase how Casting works in general and in different regions. The workshop will be conducted in English. The workshop is free of costs for the selected participants. The festival will not cover travel or accommodation expenses. Only apply if you are locally based or already attending the Sofia International Film Festival. WORKSHOP SCHEDULE March 19th: Group Workshops March 20th: Group Workshops Location: Sofia. The venue details will be shared with selected workshop participants before the event. HOW TO APPLY To participate, you must: be a professional actor be from Bulgaria and/or currently based in Bulgaria submit a One-Minute Monologue (in English) via this page be fluent in English be available in Sofia on March 19th and 20th, 2026 What is a OneMinuteMonologue? OneMinuteMonologue is at the heart of this event. It’s a powerful, one-minute performance where you demonstrate your range, depth, and unique qualities as an actor. More information will be provided upon selection. All applicants will receive a notification regarding their selection status. Please note that accompanying persons cannot be accommodated. For questions regarding the application process, contact support@filmmakers.eu IMPORTANT DATES Application Deadline: March 5th, 2026 Selection Notification: March 11th, 2026 Workshop Dates: March 19th and 20th, 2026 APPLY HERE DEADLINE 5.03.2026, 23:59 CET

One of the standout success stories connected to Sofia Meetings this year is “Lust” , the latest feature by Bulgarian director Ralitsa Petrova. The film celebrated its world premiere on 15 February 2026 at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival, where it was selected for the Forum section - a programme renowned for its bold, daring, and artistically innovative cinema. We warmly congratulate Ralitsa Petrova and her team on this remarkable achievement. Sofia Meetings is proud to have been part of the journey of “Lust” and looks forward to following its continued international success.

WORKS IN PROGRESS SELECTED AT the 23rd SOFIA MEETINGS Works in Progress presents upcoming feature films in post-production to international industry professionals. The program supports filmmakers in finalizing their projects by facilitating screenings, feedback sessions, and networking opportunities aimed at securing festivals, sales, and distribution. FICTION FILMS COWGIRL – director Michal Blaško, producers Jakub Viktorín / nutprodukcia), Tomáš Hrubý / nutprodukce (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary), 89 min DEAR FUTURE SELF – director Ella Cieslinski, producers Nina Wesemann, Ella Cieslinski / Freundinnen Film (Germany), 79 min DISQUALIFIÉ – director Yorgos Teltzidis, producer Effie Skrobola, Vassilis Tzanidis, Costas Labropoulos, George Kyriakos / View Master Films, Pilar Saavedra / Sajama Films (Greece, Italy), 85 min FOR YOU – director Dimitar Kotzev - Shosho, producers Dimitar Kotzev - Shosho, Angel Ivanov / Kontraplan, Dimce Stoyanovski , Stefan Orlandic / Living Pictures (Bulgaria / Serbia), 92 min LOST YEARS – director Áron Horváth Botka, producers Jerca Jerič & Andraž Jerič / Temporama (Slovenia), Set Sail Films, Serbia (Slovenia / Serbia), 90 min PARIS 18 – directors Kitodar Todorov, Jonathan Heidelberger, producer Magdelena Ilieva / Little Wing Productions (Bulgaria), 90 min RECRUCIFIED – director Theo Papadoulakis, producers Ioanna Davi, Dimitris Xenakis, Claudio Esposito, Marinos Charalambous, Alexander Dumreicher-Ivancenau, Bady Minck (co-producers) / Indigo View Productions (GR-main), The Piranesi Experience (IT), Boycott Films (CY), Amour Fou Luxembourg (LUX) (Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg), 125 min THURSDAY - director Ivan Tonev, producer Ivan Tonev, ARS Digital Studio (Bulgaria), 93 min WILD HORSE IN THE ROTTEN WEST – directors Mina Mileva, Vesela Kazakova, producers Mina Mileva, Vesela Kazakova / Activist38 (Bulgaria), MK38 (UK) BAREFOOT BULL – directors Petar Krumov, producers Rossitsa Valkanova / Klas Films (Bulgaria Belgium) DOCUMENTARY FILMS TROUGH THE TUNNEL – director Eldora Taykova, producer Asen Vladimirov / Pro Film (Bulgaria) THE LONG JUJU – directors Keme Nzerem, Tolu Stedford, producers Tolu Stedford, Lily Usher, Stefan Forbes / Story Compound (UK, Nigeria, USA), 90 min View the projects at our co-production market section here.

PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT SELECTED AT 23rd SOFIA MEETINGS 2026 We’re excited to announce the selection for Projects in Development for Sofia Meetings! FEATURE FILM PROJECTS CAROLINA'S LAST DREAM – director TBD, producer Stella Leonetti / Hip Film (Italy) FATHERS – director Martin Iliev, producer Angel Ivanov / Handplayed (Bulgaria) HEAVY LIGHT – director Stefan Koutzev, producer Stefan Koutzev / Lautmalfilm (Germany), Academy of Media Arts Cologne (Germany) HER STORY – director Florian Hoffmeister, producer Titus Kreyenberg / Unafilm (Germany) IN THOSE DARKEST NIGHTS – director Gozde Kural, producers Gözde Kural, Bulut Reyhanoğlu / Toz Film Production (Turkey), Svetla Tsotsorkova / Front Film (Bulgaria) PLACEHOLDER – director Višnja Sretenović, producer Biljana Prvanović / Delirium Films (Serbia, Germany, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia) RECONSTRUCTION – director Matt Harlock, producer Dan Dixon / Snafu Pictures (UK) ROBBING BEIRUT – director Katia Jarjoura, producer Michel Zana / Blue Train Films (France, Lebanon) Selected in partnership with Crossroads Co-production Forum SPY PASSIONS – director Roman Pessarov, producers Noura Al Kadri / Hot Potato, Roman Pessarov / PLONJ (Bulgaria) THE ART OF SPITTING – director Korek Bojanowski, producer Marta Krzeptowska / AsterFilm (Poland), Orka, ViuFinder (Poland) THE KORDYS CASE – director Ondřej Zima, producer Silvie Michajlova / Film Kolektiv (Czech Republic), Zuzana Mistríková / PubRes (Slovakia) THE LAST GAME – director Andrei Redinciuc, producers Bogdan Crăciun, Eliza Ceprăzaru / Point Film (Romania) THE POT, THE LID AND THE NURSE – director Vardan Tozija, producer Ivana Shekutkoska / Minimal Collective (North Macedonia) PROJECTS BASED ON BOOKS LONG DEAD – director Milija Šćepanović, producer Milena Charan / Taurus Production (Montenegro), Boris T. Matic / Propeler Film (Croatia), Ognen Antov / Dream Factory (North Macedonia), Igor Vranjkovic / Cineplanet (Serbia) Selected in partnership with EAVE GIGA MAKES A SEA – director Strahinja Savić, producer Andrija Lucić / Ground (Serbia), Filip Poleksic / Fourth Wall Production (Montenegro) TV SERIES BENEATH THE SURFACE – creator Asimina Proedrou, director Asimina Proedrou, producer Dionyssis Samiotis / Tanweer Productions (Greece), 8 x 50 minutes, Political Thriller THE NEIGHBOURHOOD – creator Pedro Magano, director João Nuno Pinto, producer Nuno Bernardo, Pedro Magano / Pixbee (Portugal), 6 x 50 minutes, Tragicomedy WITNESSES – creators Pavel G. Vesnakov, Simeon Vencislavov, director Pavel G. Vesnakov, producers Evtim Miloshev, Pavel G. Vesnakov / Dream Team Group (Bulgaria), 12 x 54 minutes, Crime drama EXIT QUEEN: TRUE STORY OF RUJA IGNATOVA – creator Michaela Sabo, director TBD, producers Michaela Sabo, Thriller PROJECTS IN BANK A SECOND LIFE (documentary) – director Ehab Ghafri, producer Simona Theoharova / Caravan Fantasia (Bulgaria) DETELINA – director Yordan Chichikov, producers Irmena Chichikova, Nikolay Mutafchiev / Gemini Films (Bulgaria) MISSING. STORIES OF DISAPPEARANCE AT EUROPE’S EDGE (documentary) – director Cecilia Fasciani, producer Marta Melina / SMK Factory (Italy) SOPHIA – director Dimitar Radev, producers Hristo Dimitrov, Dimitar Radev / Palipest Films (Bulgaria) SONGS OF RESILIENCE (documentary) – director Kate Kotcheff, producer Elena Doroshenko (Bulgaria) SOUNDS OF MIGRATION (documentary) – director Danny Baquero Betancourt, Lilia Manolova, producer Wilmer Moya / Green Castle (France, Bulgaria, Colombia) 1000 DAYS – director Andre Chandelle, producer Vera Chandelle / Fabrikata (Bulgaria) View the projects at our co-production market section here .