The American Foundation for Bulgaria is pleased to announce the results of this year's Student Film Project Funding Competition. Held annually, the competition aims to support young directors and provide opportunities for the realization of their creative ideas. This edition saw participation from students of the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFA), New Bulgarian University (NBU), and the Rotterdam Academy.
After careful evaluation by our expert jury, the following projects were selected for funding:
Bloom
A short animated film project by Elena Georgieva from NBU, which tells the story of a girl ready to embark on her independent journey in life. Trapped by a reality where her fears catch up with her, the protagonist faces her insecurities and, overcoming their influence, manages to bloom.
Clay
A short feature film project by Kristian Georgiev from NATFA. "Clay" tells the story of a young couple facing the greatest challenge of their lives when their son Bozhidar, who suffers from autism, suddenly disappears into the forest after his mother, Maria, earlier wished he would disappear.
Green
An animated film project by Nia Batanova from NBU. The film embodies themes of identity issues and societal norms, showing the journey of a young woman struggling with self-discovery despite constant rejection and deep alienation.
On the Road
A short feature film project by Valya Pelova from NBU. "On the Road" is a 20-minute road movie exploring the transformative power of travel, human connection, and the power of the stories we tell ourselves. After losing her husband, a woman embarks on a journey, meeting a young girl who helps her let go of the past and move forward.
The Twins
A short feature film project by Kaloyan Ivanov from NBU, based on the short story "The Twins" by Zdravka Evtimova. The film's main theme is ingratitude towards what you have until you lose it.
Each of these projects demonstrates exceptional creative potential and an original approach to storytelling. We are proud to support these young creators and are confident that their films will bring new and exciting perspectives to Bulgarian cinema.
We thank all participants for their remarkable submissions and wish them success in their future projects.