30th and 31st editions of Sofia International Film Festival 2026/2027

ongoing

Sofia IFF, accredited by FIAPF, takes place in March with additional screenings until the end of the month accompanied by smaller satellite editions in the cities of Burgas, Plovdiv and Varna. 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 showcase films from a diverse range of EU countries, with an emphasis on low audiovisual production. - To enhance access to EU films for various and new audiences. - To engage young audiences through creative approaches, film literacy initiatives, and digitization. - To assist in the circulation and distribution of EU films. - To bring the festival experience to decentralized audiences. - To promote networking and collaboration with other festivals. - To uphold the principles of gender balance, inclusivity, and diversity while promoting sustainability and environmental respect. Expected Results: - Development of a robust community committed to innovative actions and a digital focus, leading to an increased audience. - More frequent releases of EU films through both traditional and alternative distribution channels. - Greater awareness of EU talents and arts, attracting a larger and more diverse audience. - Improved effectiveness and application of sustainable models. The Sofia International Film Festival (SIFF) is the largest film festival in Bulgaria, established in 1997. It attracts over 90,000 spectators annually. The festival aims to promote significant and innovative works of modern world cinema to local audiences while showcasing Bulgarian and regional films to international viewers. Additionally, SIFF encourages collaboration between local and international filmmakers. Since 2003, the festival has included an International Competition for first and second films.