Sofia Film Fest 2025 transforms the Bulgarian capital into a cinema hub from March 13 to March 31, attracting film professionals and enthusiasts from around the world. With an impressive selection of 151 feature films and 20 short films from 50 countries, the festival places a special emphasis on Bulgarian cinema.
If you plan to visit the festival, ensure a comfortable and stylish stay in our apartments at sofiaapartments.net. Located in the heart of Sofia, they offer convenience and comfort to fully enjoy the event.
29th International Sofia Film Fest 2025
The festival will take place in the capital from Thursday, March 13, to Monday, March 31.
- Official Opening – The festival kicks off at 7:00 PM on March 13 (Thursday) in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture (NDK) with the world premiere of the latest film by director Svetoslav Ovcharov – "The Stake".
- This historical drama is a Bulgarian-Romanian co-production supported by the National Film Center.
- The leading roles are played by Asen Blatechki, Zahari Baharov, and Romanian actress Ofelia Popii, with appearances by Dejan Donkov, Stefan Mavrodiev, Ivan Savov, and others.
- Awards Ceremony – The Sofia Film Fest 2025 awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 22, at 7:00 PM in Hall 1 of NDK.
- Following the ceremony, the festival will screen the Latvian animated feature film "Flow" by Gints Zilbalodis, which recently won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.
Festival Highlights
- A total of 151 full-length fiction, documentary, and animated films, along with a special selection of 20 short films from 50 countries, will be showcased.
- In addition to screenings in Sofia, part of the Sofia Film Fest 2025 program will be presented in:
- Plovdiv (March 20 – April 6)
- Varna (March 21 – March 29)
- Burgas (March 20 – March 28)
Focus on Bulgarian Cinema
This year’s festival places a strong focus on Bulgarian cinema, featuring a record 60 Bulgarian films (feature, documentary, and short), including international co-productions.
- Nearly 50 of them will have their premieres at the festival.
- Many of the selected filmmakers will personally present their films to the Bulgarian audience.
Sofia Film Fest 2025 Awards
- Special Sofia Film Fest 2025 Award will be presented to Bulgarian director Kosta Bikov (who has dedicated over 50 years to cinema), as well as two international directors who have made a significant mark on European cinema:
- Bohdan Sláma (Czech Republic) will present his latest film, "The End of the World", on March 15 (Saturday) at 8:15 PM at Odeon Cinema. A retrospective of five of his works will also be shown March 10-14 at the Czech Center (free entry).
- Szabolcs Hajdu (Hungary) will present his film "The Wake of the Vultures" on March 23 (Sunday) at 8:15 PM at Odeon Cinema, along with a retrospective at the Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Center.
- FIPRESCI Platinum Award 100
- In honor of the 100th anniversary of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), the Platinum 100 Award will be given to:
- Prof. Georgi Dyulgerov (Bulgaria) – an iconic figure in Bulgarian cinema, making him the first Bulgarian filmmaker to receive this prestigious award. It will be presented on March 15 (Saturday) at 8:30 PM at Lumiere Cinema, followed by a screening of his latest film, "Fracture".
- Mohammad Rasoulof (Iran) – the Oscar-nominated independent Iranian director, who will present his award-winning film "The Seeds of the Sacred Fig" on March 17 (Monday) at 8:15 PM at the House of Cinema, alongside a masterclass.
- Sofia Municipality Award for contributions to cinema will be given to:
- Bulgarian actor Yosif Sarchadzhiev, one of the most emblematic figures in Bulgarian film.
- Croatian director Rajko Grlić, who will present his latest film "Everything Has an End" on March 21 (Friday) at 8:15 PM at the House of Cinema. He will also lead a masterclass during Sofia Meetings.
- LUX Audience Award Finalists – Sofia Film Fest 2025, in partnership with the European Parliament in Brussels and the EP Office in Bulgaria, will showcase the finalists:
- "Animal" by Sofia Exarchou
- "Dahomey" by Mati Diop
- "Julie is Silent" by Leonardo Van Dijl
- "Peaceful People" by Oksana Karpovich
- "Flow" by Gints Zilbalodis
- Each film will have a special screening with a discussion.
Special Guests at Sofia Film Fest 2025
- Oscar-winning director Danis Tanović – presenting his latest film "After the End of Summer" on March 15 (Saturday) at 6:00 PM at the House of Cinema.
- Tudor Giurgiu – presenting "Nasty – A Sports Gala", a documentary on Romanian tennis star Ilie Năstase, on March 15 (Saturday) at 8:30 PM at the French Institute, Slavейkov Cinema.
- Uberto Pasolini – presenting "The Return".
- Patricia Mazuy – presenting "Prisoners of Bordeaux".
- Actress Janne Saarinen – presenting "The Love Story of a Grumpy Man" by Mika Kaurismäki.
- Pia Marais – presenting "Transamazonia" (in partnership with the Goethe-Institut).
- Doron Eran – presenting "Ten Kilograms".
- Xawery Żuławski – presenting the audience favorite "Jerzy Kulej: The Two Sides of the Medal" (in partnership with the Polish Institute).
- Konstantin Bojanov – presenting his film "The Shameless".
- And many more!
Festival Locations & Centers
- Press Center – Hosted at the Polish Institute.
- Festival Center – This year’s gathering spot will be Café-Bar Makondo.
Sofia Film Fest 2025 promises an incredible cinematic experience with a rich program and exciting international guests! ????✨
As part of the festival (March 19–30), the 22nd edition of Sofia Meetings will take place.
- A special selection of films from the festival program will be available online, thanks to a partnership with Neterra.tv/plus.
- The visual identity of Sofia Film Fest 2025 was created by the proof agency.
Sofia Film Fest 2025 is organized by Art Fest in collaboration with the National Film Center and the Creative Europe MEDIA program of the European Union, with financial support from Sofia Municipality and the Ministry of Culture.
Partners include:
The British Council, Polish Institute, Italian Cultural Institute, French Cultural Institute, Romanian Cultural Institute, Goethe-Institut, Austrian Cultural Forum, Czech Center – Sofia, Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Institute, and many more organizations, companies, hotels, media outlets, and supporters.
For detailed information, visit www.siff.bg.
29th Sofia International Film Festival 2025
Dates: March 13 (Thursday) – March 31 (Monday) ???? Location: Sofia
Opening Ceremony
March 13, 19:00, Hall 1, National Palace of Culture (NDK) ???? World Premiere: The Pledge by Svetoslav Ovcharov A historical drama – a Bulgaria-Romania co-production supported by the National Film Center. Starring: Asen Blatechki, Zahari Baharov, Romanian actress Ofelia Popii, and more.
Awards Ceremony
March 22, 19:00, Hall 1, NDK ???? Followed by the Latvian animated feature Flow by Gints Zilbalodis – winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature just days ago.
Festival Highlights
151 feature films, documentaries, and animated films + 20 short films from 50 countries.
Screenings beyond Sofia:
- Plovdiv (March 20 – April 6)
- Varna (March 21 – March 29)
- Burgas (March 20 – March 28)
Main Focus: Bulgarian Cinema
- A record-breaking 60 Bulgarian films (feature, documentary, and short), including international co-productions.
- 50 premieres during the festival.
Special Guests & Filmmaker Presentations
- Filmmakers from the competition programs will personally present their films.
Key Festival Awards & Honorees
Sofia Film Fest Special Award Honoring legendary Bulgarian filmmaker Kosta Bikov, alongside two major European directors:
- Bohdan Sláma (Czech Republic) – presenting his latest film The End of the World (March 15, 20:15, Odeon Cinema) + retrospective (March 10–14, Czech Center, free entry).
- Szabolcs Hajdu (Hungary) – presenting The Wake of the Vultures (March 23, 20:15, Odeon Cinema) + retrospective at the Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Center.
FIPRESCI Platinum Award – 100th Anniversary Edition Awarded by the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) to:
- Prof. Georgi Dyulgerov (Bulgaria) – first Bulgarian recipient of this prestigious award. ???? March 15, 20:30, Lumiere Cinema – Award ceremony + screening of his latest film Fault Line.
- Mohammad Rasoulof (Iran) – presenting his multi-award-winning film The Seeds of the Sacred Fig (March 17, 20:15, Cinema House) + a masterclass.
Sofia Municipality Award for Contribution to Cinema Presented to:
- Bulgarian actor Yosif Sarchadzhiev – a legendary figure in Bulgarian cinema.
- Croatian director Rajko Grlić, who will present his latest film Everything Has an End (March 21, 20:15, Cinema House) + a masterclass at Sofia Meetings.
LUX Audience Award Finalists Presented in partnership with the European Parliament:
- Animal by Sofia Exarchou
- Dahomey by Mati Diop
- Julie Keeps Quiet by Leonardo van Dijl
- Peaceful People by Oksana Karpovych
- Flow by Gints Zilbalodis
Each film will have a special screening & discussion.
Special Guests & Film Presentations
Oscar Winner Danis Tanović – presenting After the End of Summer (March 15, 18:00, Cinema House). ???? Tudor Giurgiu – presenting Nasty: A Sports Gala (March 15, 20:30, French Institute, Slavейkov Cinema). ???? Uberto Pasolini – presenting The Return. ???? Patricia Mazuy – presenting Prisoners in Bordeaux. ???? Jana Sarinen – presenting A Grump’s Love Story by Mika Kaurismäki. ???? Pia Marais – presenting Transamazonia (in partnership with Goethe-Institut). ???? Doron Eran – presenting Ten Kilograms. ???? Xawery Żuławski – presenting Jerzy Kulej: The Two Sides of the Medal (in partnership with the Polish Institute). ???? Konstantin Bojanov – presenting The Shameless.
Festival Centers & Key Information Festival Press Center: Polish Institute. ???? Festival Hub: Café-Bar Macondo. ???? Sofia Meetings 2025: March 19–30.
Watch Online: A special selection of films available via Neterra.tv/plus.
More info at: www.siff.bg
Planning to Attend?
Looking for a luxurious, fully furnished apartment in Sofia during the festival? Check out SofiaApartments.net for premium accommodation options in the heart of the city – from cozy studios to spacious two-bedroom apartments. Enjoy comfort and style while experiencing Sofia Film Fest 2025!
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