NEWS

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!

On the 21st of March, 14.30 - 15.30, Nora Philippe will be presenting a workshop about documentary filmmakers. She is a documentary filmmaker, producer, curator, and the director of EURODOC. A graduate of the prestigious École Normale Supérieure of Lyon, she holds a MA in Art History, and a Professional Film Studies MA. She has taught filmmaking at the École des arts décoratifs de Paris for a decade. She runs mentoring programs and workshops for emerging directors, woman-identifying filmmakers and marginalized communities. Entrance : Free for all aspiring authors and filmmakers. Location : GHS, Serdica Hall, 1st floor

Join us for an insightful session with Martin Kisselov, an accomplished filmmaker and scriptwriter with extensive international experience. About the Speaker: Martin Kisselov is a multilingual creative professional with a diverse background in cinema, television, and theatre. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, he graduated from the Spanish Language School in 1996 and earned his master's degree in journalism from Sofia University in 2001, while simultaneously building five years of professional experience across various media platforms. His education continued internationally, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in European Studies from Carnegie Mellon University (2003) and a Master's degree in Film and Television Directing from UCLA (2007). After his return to Bulgaria he is focusing on scriptwriting, playwriting consultation and acting art for Bulgarian and foreign film projects, and recently he has been working in the theater. Martin speaks and works in 4 languages and is a member of MENSA Bulgaria. This workshop offers a valuable opportunity to learn project development techniques from a seasoned industry professional. Entrance : FREE for all aspiring authors and filmmakers. Location : Grand Hotel Sofia, Serdica Hall, 1st floor

Join us on the 21st of March from 11:30 -13:00, for an in-depth look at Bulgaria’s rapid development as a co-production partner and film service-providing country. From the augmented 5 million euro cap of the Cash-Rebate mechanism and the presence of Hollywood productions in the country to the flexibility and successful co-productions that redefine Bulgaria’s position in the region, this panel will give you an insight into why and how things work here. Discover new AI-powered tools to engage with the local film industry and gain precious insights on how institutions collaborate to help establish the country as a one-stop shop for both large-scale blockbusters and highly successful European arthouse films. The talk will be with Dr David Zitzlsperger, Denkungsart, Germany; Stefan Prohorov, NFC, Bulgaria; Mira Staleva, Sofia Meetings, Bulgaria; and Ivan Doykov, Dare Films, Bulgaria. About the speakers: Dr. David Zitzlsperger is a prominent figure in the European film and media industry, specifically known as an architect of the digital infrastructure used for casting and production. Stefan Prohorov is a prominent Bulgarian stage director, playwright, and cultural manager who currently serves as a bridge between the independent arts scene and international film institutions. Mira Staleva is a powerhouse of the Bulgarian and European film industry, currently serving as the Managing Director of the Sofia International Film Festival (SIFF) and the Head of Sofia Meetings, one of the most influential co-production markets in Central and Eastern Europe. Ivan Doykov is a leading Bulgarian film and television producer who is widely considered one of the most successful commercial producers in contemporary Bulgarian cinema. Free entry for all aspiring authors and filmmakers. Location : GHS, Serdica Hall, 1st floor

USHERU: BUILDING A RESILIENT FILM MARKETING MODEL: TRENDS, TACTICS & DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT FOR DISTRIBUTORS Oliver Fegan is the CEO and Co-Founder of usheru. He works closely with distributors worldwide to develop data-driven marketing strategies that improve audience engagement and campaign performance. Through usheru’s work with over 100 distributors across 30+ countries, Oliver brings a global perspective on the evolving challenges and opportunities facing film marketing today. Distribution of independent and mid-budget films has never been more challenging. Working with over 100 film distributors and production companies across 30+ countries, Usheru addresses a key industry shift: as mass marketing becomes less effective and audience attention increasingly fragmented, distributors need smarter, more targeted digital strategies to reach viewers. This session will unpack the latest trends in marketing and audience engagement, offering practical, actionable insights on the tools and tactics that can help distributors maximise impact, stretch limited budgets, and build a more resilient marketing model for the future. Entrance: Free for all aspiring authors and filmmakers. Location: GHS, Serdica Hall, 1st floor

AI & Cinema: Creation, Control, and Sovereignty 19th of March 17:00–18:30 With Alexandre Glas (France)/ Maison St Germain Screening: As They Pass. Directed by Patrice Masini. In the presence of the director. With the support of Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Bulgaria VIDENIE Immersive Space for Digital Art Kuzman Shapkarev St 9B, Sofia /Creative Lab/ How do we use AI without losing authorship? The discussion explores how filmmakers and artists can use AI as a creative tool without losing authorship, control, or artistic value, addressing urgent questions around copyright, likeness, and the future of creative work. The event features entrepreneur and cultural innovator Alexander Glas and concludes with a screening of As They Pass by Patrice Masini, presented in the director’s presence in the immersive space VIDENIE.

Join moderators Pablo Narváez, Rory McEntegart, and Phillip Arthur Simmons as they present the Film Scoring Academy of Europe (FSAE) and showcase how composing for film and immersive media can be learned, practiced, and brought to life through mentorship, live recording, and hands-on training in orchestration, sound design, and scoring for both screen and VR/AR experiences. The event will happen on the 20th of March, from 16.45-17.45 at Grand Hotel Sofia in Triaditsa 2 hall, 1st floor. Free Entry. The Film Scoring Academy of Europe (FSAE) offers intensive, practical training for aspiring film composers, emphasizing direct mentorship and live recording experiences. Programs range from online diplomas to in-person sessions, featuring training in film/game scoring, orchestral orchestration, and sound design to prepare students for the industry. About the moderators: Pablo Narváez is a key figure in the international distribution and publishing of immersive media. He currently serves as the Publishing & Marketing Manager at Astrea, the publishing arm of the powerhouse immersive studio Atlas V. Rory McEntegart is the Managing Director of Astrea, the world's leading publisher and distributor of immersive (VR/AR) content. Based in the UK, he is the high-level strategist overseeing the entire Astrea operation, working closely with the founders of Atlas V to bridge the gap between artistic creation and commercial viability. Phillip Arthur Simmons is an award-winning American film composer, orchestrator, and educator who specializes in music for visual media, including films and immersive experiences.

23rd Sofia Meetings presents two Training programmes on Friday, 20th of March from 17:30 - 18:30. Starting with EURODOC 's presentation with Nora Philippe (Programme Director, France). EURODOC is a European training programme, dedicated to documentary production, supporting producers in developing international co-productions through workshops, mentorship, and industry networking. Following is a presentation about HerARTS Film Lab, with Eliza Subotowicz (Co-Founder & Director, Poland)). It is a development programme nurturing emerging filmmakers - particularly women - by providing hands-on guidance in storytelling, creative development, and project development within a collaborative and supportive environment. Event Location: Grand Hotel Sofia, Serdica Hall (1st floor) /Creative Lab/

We would like to invite you to this week's talk led by Momchil Alexiev, on XR and AI - Naturally Artificial or Artificially Natural? The event will happen on 19th of March at Grand Hotel Sofia.,Serdika Hall from 14:00 - 15:00. The talk aims on one hand, to articulate a discussion on the upcoming changes in the field of artistic practices as a result of the introduction of AI toolkits, and on the other, to contextualise the use of artificial intelligence in the realm of XR’s potentialities for new creative processes.