The 10th Sofia International Film Festival will run from 9 to 19 March 2006. This festival is traditionally held in several cinema theatres members of Europa Cinemas' network. The international competition section, open to either debut or second films, often screens mainly European films, whilst one section, European Screen, is devoted entirely to European works. Adam & Paul (Lenny Abrahamson, IE), The Sea Within (Alejandro Amenabar, ES) and Reconstruction (Christoffer Boe, DK) all won prizes at the last two festivals.
Stefan Kitanov is the director of the festival, which he introduces to us here. With his company Art fest Ltd., which co-produces the festival, he is also the exhibitor in Dom na Kinoto in Sofia (Cinema House, member of Europa Cinemas). He also distributes (Young Adam in 2004, 5x2 in 2005) and produces films (he recently produced the Bulgarian short for the film Lost and Found, made up of 6 short films from Central and Eastern Europe, which was released on 12 January in German cinemas).


What is the situation of cinema theatres in Bulgaria?

The situation is not good. Now we have 100 cinemas in the country. 5 to 10 of them are considered as art house theatres... But fortunately, some people have the energy to support the European cinema in the country: there are a few distribution companies, some single screen theatres are supported and we organise festivals. Being part of the MEDIA Programme of the EU helps Bulgarian distributors to be visible in the market.

Could you present us the Sofia International Film Festival?

Sofia IFF is an annual festival that introduces the major films of the festival to the local audience on the one hand, and presents new Bulgarian and Balkan films to the international audience on the other. The majority of the programme consists of European (over 75%) and independent films, which are usually presented by their authors. We invite directors and programmers of international film festivals because they are likely to select the new Bulgarian and regional films at their events.
We also created a co-production forum, called Sofia Meetings, aimed at creating and developing second feature films as well as promoting Bulgarian and Balkan films.
Year after year, we keep on trying to get more and more people involved in European Cinema. We try and encourage people to meet, to get to know the work of the others, to share experiences and ideas.

What is the place of the Sofia IFF among other festivals of Eastern Europe?

Sofia IFF is part of the CentEast – Alliance, that gathers key CentEast European film festivals. We have close and friendly relationships with most of the important events in the region, such as Warsaw, Karlovy vary, Moscow, Belgrade, Thessaloniki, Cluj, Kiev, Linz, Ljubljana, Skopje, Cottbus, Tallinn, etc.

Do you think some Bulgarian recent movies have a chance to be distributed in foreign countries?

It's very difficult to distribute theatrically films made in Bulgaria but Bulgarian cinema is getting stronger. Many of the films made over the last 5 years such as Lady Z (Leydi Zi) by Georgy Djulgerov, Mila from Mars (Mila ot Mars) by Zornitsa Sophia, Stolen Eyes (Otkradnati ochi) by Radoslav Spassov, Rhapsody in White (Rapsodiya v byalo) by Tedi Moskov, Under the Same Sky (Pod edno nebe) by Krassimir Krumov, Whose is This Song? (Chia e tazi pesen?) by Adela Peeva, Georgi and Butterflies (Georgi I peperudite) by Andrei Paunov, Bread over the Fence (Hlyab nad ogradata) and Alphabet of Hope (Azbuka na nadejdata) by Stephan Komandarev, were awarded at international film festivals.

What do you think of Balkan and Eastern European films?

It has a great energy and specific aesthetics. I believe in it and hope that soon it will be a fashion.


Website: www.cinema.bg/sff/

Interview by Jean-Baptiste Selliez