28th and 29th editions of Sofia International Film Festival 2024/2025

2026-07-22

The 28th Sofia IFF will take place between 14th and the 24th of March 2024 with additional screenings until the end of the month which applies also for the 29th Sofia IFF with main dates 13-23 March 2025. Smaller satellite events present programme in the cities of Burgas, Plovdiv and Varna in March. SIFF is a competitive festival: Main competition for 1st and 2nd features, Balkan, documentary, Teen and BG short films competitions. The festival creates a warm and cheerful atmosphere and is a meeting point for the authors, the audience and the EU film industry. Objectives: • To present films from a great variety of EU countries focusing on low A/V production; • To improve access to EU films for different and new audiences; • Focus on young audience through creative approaches, film literacy and digitisation; • Assisting circulation and distribution of EU films; • Transferring the festival experience to decentralized audiences; • Fostering networking, cooperation with other festivals; • Respecting the principles of gender balance, inclusivity, diversity and fostering sustainability and environmental respect. Expected results: • Well developed community through committing to innovative actions and digital focus, increased audience; • Increased release of EU films through traditional/alternative distribution; • Increased knowledge of EU talents, EU art, greater and diverse audience; • Improved effectiveness, sustainable models applied thrSOFIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (SIFF) is the biggest film festival in Bulgaria. It began in 1997 and attracts more than 90 000 spectators annually. The festival aims to promote important and innovative works of modern world cinema to local audiences and Bulgarian and regional cinema to international audiences, as well as to encourage cooperation between local and international filmmakers. Since 2003 the festival has International Competition for first and second films and is included in the FIPRESCI calendar.

Bulgaria

2026-02-01